Angels walk past Orioles

Baseball Betting Lines

07/05/2009 - Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bobby Abreu doubled, walked twice, had two RBI and scored three times, as Los Angeles rallied to overtake the Orioles, 9-6, in the finale of a four-game set at Angel Stadium.

Vladimir Guerrero belted a two-run homer, while Torii Hunter doubled twice and knocked in a run for the Angels, who won three of four in the series and have won nine of their last 12 games overall.

Los Angeles starter Joe Saunders gave up six runs -- five earned -- on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings for a no-decision. Darren Oliver (3-0) was the winning pitcher.

"(The Orioles) cracked the door open a little bit for us on the mound," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia. "Our guys are showing patience at the plate and it's starting to pay off."

Brian Roberts had a solo homer and hit a two-run double for Baltimore, which has dropped six of eight. Matt Wieters also went deep as part of a 3-for-3 effort at the plate.

Rich Hill made the start for the Orioles and was charged with six runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings, but did not factor in the decision. Matt Albers (1-3) yielded three runs in just two-thirds of an inning to absorb the loss.

After battling back to draw even on two occasions in the game, Los Angeles seized its first, and only, lead with a three-run seventh.

Albers issued a leadoff walk to Abreu, and Hunter, named to the AL All-Star squad as a reserve earlier Sunday, ripped a double over the head of Baltimore's lone All-Star representative, center fielder Adam Jones.

Chris Ray inherited a tough assignment, replacing Albers following an intentional walk to Guerrero that loaded the bases. Ray faced only two batters and walked both of a them, resulting in an 8-6 advantage for the home team.

Mark Hendrickson was summoned from the bullpen and surrendered a sacrifice fly to Kendry Morales.

Oliver and Jason Bulger combined to toss a scoreless eighth, and Brian Fuentes, who will join Hunter at the 80th Mid-Summer Classic in St. Louis on July 14, closed the door in the ninth for his MLB-best 24th save of the season.

"We had leads in the game and we couldn't hold them," said Baltimore manager Dave Trembley. "Our guys gave everything they had. You score six runs in a game, you think you're going to win. It just didn't happen."

Roberts homered to begin the contest, and Baltimore added three more runs in the third, the second straight game the Orioles had jumped out to a 4-0 lead.

Wieters led off with a walk, Robert Andino reached on Howie Kendrick's fielding error and Roberts lined a two-run double to center. Roberts stole third and came around to score on a base hit by Nick Markakis.

Los Angeles immediately pushed three runs across in the bottom of the inning. A double by Abreu plated Aybar and Chone Figgins, then Hunter stroked an RBI double to close the gap to 4-3.

Baltimore added another run in the fourth on Andino's sacrifice fly, but Guerrero crushed a two-run homer in the fifth to tie the game at five.

The clubs traded runs in the sixth, as Wieters belted a solo shot and Aybar pulled a double into right field off Albers to score Kendrick, who had reached on a fielder's choice and swiped second.

Game Notes

Halos catcher Mike Napoli walked three times...Jones had two hits...Baltimore left eight men on base, while the Angels stranded six...Los Angeles has won five of six against the O's this season.