|
|
|
|
 |
|
Scores Schedules Standings Statistics Transactions Injuries: AL | NL Players Weekly Lineup Message Board Minor Leagues MLB Stat Search Clubhouses |
| Sport Sections |
|
|
| |
Tuesday, Aug. 1 10:05pm ET
Tigers reliever avoids a dismal repeat | |||||
|
| ||||||
|
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
|
GAME LOG
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Todd Jones was as aware of Scott Spiezio in the on-deck circle as he was of Darin Erstad in the batter's box Tuesday night. With two outs and Kevin Stocker at first, Jones knew he had to retire the major league hits leader to avoid a rematch with Spiezio, whose two-out three-run pinch-homer off him in the ninth inning gave the Anaheim Angels a victory over the Detroit Tigers one night earlier. But it never got that far. Erstad grounded out to short, and Jones secured a 6-3 victory with his 30th save in 32 chances. "I wouldn't have minded facing Spiezio again and try to get him out -- but maybe not with two guys on," Jones said with a laugh. "I went 1-2 on Stocker, and I knew Spiezio was in the hole (after Erstad). I looked up and I saw him, but I certainly wasn't worried about him when I've got Erstad in the box." Juan Gonzalez and Juan Encarnacion each homered for the second consecutive game, and Dean Palmer's two-run double capped a four-run seventh inning for the Tigers. Nelson Cruz (4-0) allowed a run and three hits in two relief innings. He replaced Adam Bernero, who gave up two runs and five hits over 5 1/3 innings in his major league debut. "When I went in there, I knew I was facing a team with five former All-Stars on it," Bernero said. "It was hard, but I just went in there figuring I needed to throw what I normally do that got me here. The advantage was they had never seen me before." Bernero, 23, was called up to start in place of Dave Mlicki, who already was on the disabled list because of a chronic sinus condition. The right-hander held the Angels scoreless on two hits through the first five innings and was staked to a 2-0 lead by Encarnacion's leadoff homer in the third and Gonzalez's 440-foot drive to dead-center in the sixth. "It's always tough facing somebody like that because it's like spring training," Mo Vaughn said. "It was tough to get a read on him. He showed some poise and kept his forkball and changeup down. He had good stuff." But Bernero surrendered the tying runs on Tim Salmon's bases-loaded two-run single up the middle with one out in the sixth, following an intentional walk to Vaughn. He was immediately replaced by Cruz. Encarnacion led off the seventh with a single off Brian Cooper (4-6) and advanced on Shane Halter's sacrifice. Damion Easley, in a 3-for-25 slump, hit a bloop single to left in front of a diving Ron Gant for a 3-2 lead. Brad Ausmus chased Cooper with a double inside the right-field line and Bobby Higginson greeted Mike Holtz with a broken-bat bloop single to right that scored Easley. Mike Fyhrie struck out Gonzalez, but Palmer followed with a drive to the alley in right-center for a 6-2 lead. Spiezio led off the eighth with his 12th homer and Salmon chased Cruz with a one-out double, but Doug Brocail retired Garret Anderson and Bengie Molina on fly balls before Jones finished up. Bernero was bailed out of a third-inning jam by a bizarre inning-ending double play with two men in scoring position. Spiezio's sinking liner to right field skimmed off the grass and into the glove of a charging Gonzalez as Adam Kennedy -- thinking the ball was trapped -- crossed the plate without tagging up. First-base umpire Jerry Meals signaled instantly that Gonzalez made the catch -- despite television replays to the contrary. Kennedy was called out moments later on an appeal play as Bernero went into the set position before tossing to Halter at third base. "I thought the ball bounced," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "The first-base umpire said it was caught, and that's what we live with." Cooper lost his third consecutive start, allowing five runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings. Game notesThe Angels have hit 105 homers at Edison Field, their highest total at home since moving from Los Angeles to Anaheim in 1966. ... The Tigers cleared a roster space for Bernero by optioning right-handed pitcher Erik Hiljus to Triple-A Toledo. They also transferred infielder Gregg Jefferies from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL because of an injured left hamstring. ... Reliever Al Levine, who gave up four runs and four hits without retiring a batter in the ninth inning of 11-7 loss Sunday night to Chicago, was placed on the 15-day DL because of flexor tendinitis in his right elbow. ... Anaheim recalled right-handed Matt Wise from Triple-A Edmonton, where he was 9-6 with a 3.69 ERA in 19 starts. Scioscia said he will use him in long relief. | ALSO SEE Baseball Scoreboard Detroit Clubhouse Anaheim Clubhouse RECAPS Oakland 3 Toronto 1
Detroit 6
Los Angeles 5
| |||||