Angels and Rangers: Game 100 Big For Jeff Mathis

Scott Feldman of the Rangers came into Saturday evening's contest with the most hits given up in the American League as the Angels fought to reduce the 7 game lead Texas held in the American League West.  This game was number 100 of the season for the Angels.  A Rangers win might be devastating for the Angels going into Saturday, with starting pitcher Ervin Santana owning a career ERA in Arlington, Texas of over 8 runs per 9 innings.

Fifteen straight scoreless innings for the Angels continued into the fifth inning for the Angels as both Ervin Santana and Scott Feldman kept the game even early. A Jeff Mathis home run broke the silence, his third of the year to take the lead for Los Angeles to bring momentum to the visiting dugout. Then speed burnt up the Texas soil as an Erick Aybar triple drove in Reggie Willits to extend to 2-0 Angels.

In the top of the sixth inning Feldman was replaced but that did not stop new Angel's short stop Callaspo from smacking his first RBI to score Torii Hunter at 3-0 Angels.

Entering the bottom of the sixth inning the Texas Rangers had only managed to slip two hits by Ervin Santana who had struggled many times at the ballpark in Arlington. Michael Young would blast a solo home run to break up a shut out cutting the lead 3-1 LA.

47,098 was the announced attendance for the games and they watched another Reggie Willits hit drop in to start off the seventh inning who would again advance on an Erick Aybar hit. Maicer Izturis added an RBI hit against Darren Oliver, and Abreu followed with his first RBI of the series to load the bases at 5-1 Angels.  A Callaspo SAC RBI increased the lead to 6-1 Angels as eight batters visited the plate before Texas could end the inning.

A Nelson Cruz home run added one for 6-2 Angels in the seventh inning. Ervin's 100th pitch in the 8th inning was his 8th strike out to sit down Michael Young as the Rangers failed to produce another run.

Doug Mathis struggled in the 9th inning as the Angels advanced two runners into scoring position with one out but were unable to score to give Texas three more chances to battle back.

Vladimir Guerrero stepped in to face Fernando Rodney in relief trying to finish the game and was retired on strikes. Josh Hamilton doubled to right field.  Nelson Cruz struck out on five pitches. Benji Molina stepped up one for three on the night, and struck out to end the game.

The final game of the Angels and Rangers series will be Sunday afternoon in Arlington.  The game can be heard live on AM 830, KLAA at 5:05 PM with Angels on Air at 4:00 PM with Jeff Biggs and Jason Brennan.