Sat May 3 19:01:02 2008

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Garland strong as Angels down O's

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Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Jon Garland cruised through eight innings allowing only three hits and one earned run in helping the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to a 3-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles at Angel Stadium.

Garland (4-3) gave up two singles and a run in the top of the second then settled down, allowing only a one-out Melvin Mora double in the seventh through six scoreless innings the rest of the way. He finished the game with one walk and one strikeout.

"I was able to get ahead of guys and throw more strikes today," said Garland. "I don't know if my stuff was that good or it was my mechanics. I never want to come out. That's just one of those things when you've got one of the best closers in the league."

Gary Matthews Jr. knocked in two runs with two sacrifices and Reggie Willits had two hits while knocking in one for the Angels, who snapped a two-game losing streak. Chone Figgins did the dirty work on the basepaths, scoring the winning and insurance runs, drawing two walks and stealing a base.

Daniel Cabrera (2-1) was mildly effective through 7 1/3 innings, giving up three earned runs on six hits with two walks and six strikeouts. Cabrera's past control problems came back to bite him in the later innings with a hit batter, walk and a wild pitch that set up all three runs to score. Luke Scott knocked in the only run for Baltimore, which has lost three of their last four.

"I'm upset we lost," said Cabrera. "This just pushes me to work harder. I did my best but I know I have to work harder."

The Angels finally got to Cabrera in the sixth. After Mike Napoli popped out to start the inning, Cabrera hit Brandon Wood with a pitch and walked Figgins for the second time. Willits lined a single into right field scoring Wood and moved Figgins to third, tying the score at one. Matthews followed with a sac fly giving Anaheim a 2-1 lead that held up in the end.

Baltimore failed to cash in on a one-out Mora double in the seventh.

After the Orioles went down in order in the top half of the eighth, the Angels turned to small ball to secure the win. Figgins singled to left to start the inning and Willits laid down a sac bunt moving the runner to second with one out. Cabrera helped their cause uncorking a wild pitch with the next batter, Matthews, at the plate, moving Figgins to third. Matthews followed with a fielder's choice plating Figgins and giving the Halo's some breathing room heading to the ninth up 3-1.

Francisco Rodriguez pitched a perfect ninth to pick up his 12th save of the season.

Aubrey Huff helped put the O's on the board first, leading off the second with a single to right. After a Kevin Millar fly out, Ramon Hernandez grounded out to third moving Huff to second. Scott followed with a two-out line-drive single to right plating Huff for a 1-0 lead.

Game Notes Both teams will wrap up the three-game series on Sunday afternoon with Joe Saunders versus Steve Trachsel...The Angels' red-hot first baseman Casey Kotchman came into the game second in the AL in average with a team-leading 20 RBI but left four runners on base including two in scoring position, going 0-4...Angels left fielder Garret Anderson was ejected for only the third time in his career in the seventh arguing balls and strikes.