Final/13
  for this game

Pujols lifts Angels over O's in 13 innings

Aug 1, 2014 - 6:17 AM Baltimore, MD (SportsNetwork.com) - Albert Pujols drove in the game's only run in the 13th inning as the Angels salvaged their series in Baltimore with a 1-0 nail biter over the Orioles.

Thursday's finale of a three-game set between the playoff contenders featured stellar pitching, equally superb defense and an end to Baltimore's steak of seven straight wins in extra innings.

The Angels' pitching staff limited the Orioles to five singles, and their offense finally cashed in when Kole Calhoun worked a leadoff walk in the final frame, raced to third on Mike Trout's base hit to left and scored when Pujols sent a screaming line-drive base hit into center field.

David Freese recorded four of the Angels' 12 hits, while six relievers combined for 8 1/3 scoreless innings behind Tyler Skaggs, who exited with forearm stiffness in the fifth.

"I was looking forward to continuing to go out there," Skaggs said. "I felt like I was throwing the ball where I wanted to today. I'm pretty salty I didn't get to finish it out there."

Hector Santiago (3-7) hurled two innings of relief to earn the win, and Huston Street retired the top of the Orioles' order in their final trip to earn his fourth save with his new club.

The loss, which was credited to Ryan Webb (3-2), was Baltimore's third in its last 10 games.

"You never want to be the one to give it up in a game like that," Webb said. "It sucks, but you can't walk the leadoff guy in an inning like that, especially with those guys coming up."

Bud Norris continued his success against the Angels with seven shutout innings but did not factor in the decision. He scattered eight hits and a walk and lowered his already microscopic ERA to 0.43 in six career starts against them.

Skaggs matched Norris inning-for-inning before an injury cut his outing short. Working on a no-hitter in the fifth, Skaggs walked Steve Pearce with two outs and motioned toward the dugout after throwing another pitch.

Mike Morin replaced Skaggs and immediately gave up a single to Caleb Joseph before Jonathan Schoop flew out harmlessly to right to leave runners on the corners.

Game Notes

Skaggs walked two and struck out seven ... Each of Baltimore's last six games have been decided by one run ... Twelve of the Angels' last 13 games have been decided by two or fewer runs ... Joe Smith had retired 31 straight right- handed batters before Joseph's base hit in the eighth ... Pujols recorded the game's only extra-base hit with a double in the sixth inning. ... Game time: 4:33.