Sun Jun 1 00:50:24 2008

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Rivera hits Angels past Jays

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Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Juan Rivera's pinch-hit single in the bottom of the 10th plated Casey Kotchman for the winning run, as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim edged Toronto, 3-2, in the middle contest of a three-game set.

After Torii Hunter grounded out to start the home 10th against Armando Benitez, Brian Tallet came in from the bullpen and gave up a single to Kotchman.

Maicer Izturis then reached base on a bunt back to the pitcher, and Tallet's throwing error allowed both runners to get into scoring position. Tallet then intentionally walked Jeff Mathis, as Jason Frasor entered the game to pitch.

But Rivera laced his third pitch to right-center, plating Kotchman for the winning score.

"Every game I get myself ready for these situations," Rivera said. "I'm glad it happened tonight. I prepared for a fastball and it was a hard sinker inside."

It made a winner out of Scot Shields (3-1), who threw a scoreless top of the 10th for Los Angeles, which snapped a two-game slide. Tallet (0-1) took the loss for the Blue Jays, who had a three-game win streak snapped.

"The Angels have a lot of speed and they put the pressure on you," Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "In tight games they manufacture runs with their legs, and they did tonight."

The game featured two strong performances from the starting pitchers. John Lackey threw eight innings for the Angels, and allowed two runs -- one earned -- on six hits and a walk, while striking out seven.

Shaun Marcum gave up just two runs in seven innings, despite giving up 11 hits for the Blue Jays.

Hunter homered and Howie Kendrick drove in a run for the Angels, while Kotchman finished 3-for-5.

Rod Barajas hit a solo shot for Toronto, and David Eckstein had two hits, including a double.

The teams traded runs in the fourth. Marco Scutaro singled with one out in the top half, and scored during the next at-bat when Alex Rios grounded a ball through the right side. The second baseman Kendrick failed to catch the throw from Vladimir Guerrero cleanly, allowing Scutaro to go all the way around to home.

But Hunter's lead-off homer in the bottom half tied the game at a run apiece.

Barajas hit a two-out homer in the seventh to put Toronto back in front by a run, but consecutive doubles from Reggie Willits and Kendrick in the home half knotted the game once again.

Scott Downs threw 1 2/3 scoreless frames in relief of Marcum, while Francisco Rodriguez tossed a scoreless inning after Lackey left the game.

Game Notes

The Angels improved to 2-0 in extra-inning games, while Toronto fell to 3-4...The Blue Jays left five runners on base, while Los Angeles stranded 14...Attendance was 43,645.