Sun Jun 15 22:57:23 2008

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Kotchman, Saunders lead Angels past Braves

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Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Casey Kotchman's two-run homer and 7 1/3 strong innings from starter Joe Saunders propelled the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim over Atlanta, 2-0, in the finale of a three-game interleague set.

Saunders (10-3) scattered six hits in the outing, fanning three without walking a batter to earn the victory, his fourth win in six starts.

Vlad Guerrero doubled and scored while Kotchman launched his seventh of the season for the Angels, who snapped a two-game slide and salvaged a game in the series.

Yunel Escobar collected a pair of hits for the Braves, who have dropped seven of their last nine games. Jorge Campillo (2-1) went the distance in the loss, giving up seven hits and two runs with seven strikeouts and no walks.

In the home fifth, Guerrero stroked a leadoff two-base hit and scored when Kotchman roped a ball just over the wall and inside the foul pole in right.

That proved to be all the offense needed in the contest.

Saunders worked out of trouble in the sixth, as Escobar singled to start the frame and Mark Teixeira singled with two down. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, but Jeff Francoeur flew out to keep the Braves scoreless.

The Braves went down in order in the seventh and with one gone in the eighth, Scot Shields took over. After a walk to Escobar, he retired the next two batters.

Francisco Rodriguez fanned two in the ninth and closed out the game by striking out Chipper Jones swinging for his 28th save.

Neither club had a runner reach past second base through the first 4 1/2 innings, with Campillo yielding one hit and Saunders four.

Game Notes

Saunders joins Cliff Lee of Cleveland as the only other AL pitcher to reach double-digit wins...The Braves fell to 7-25 on the road, worst in the majors...The Angels blanked an opponent for the seventh time this season.