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Colon dominates as Angels sweep Rays

Apr 26, 2007 - 11:44 PM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Getting a highly decorated ace back from a severe injury and having him pitch well is always a welcome addition. Giving Bartolo Colon a lot of run support is a definite bonus.

Colon pitched seven strong innings and Gary Matthews Jr. had three hits as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim downed the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 11-3, to sweep the two-game series.

Colon (2-0), the 2005 American League Cy Young winner who made just 10 starts before being sidelined for the final two months last season because of a partial tear in his rotator cuff, pitched effectively for the second straight game since returning from the disabled list, yielding two runs and four hits with a walk and 11 strikeouts over seven innings.

"He has pitched lights out for us since he returned to our rotation," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We are going to need his arm to compete and make a run at the playoffs this year."

The 11 strikeouts represented his highest single-game total since June 4, 2005, against the Boston Red Sox. Colon improved to 9-1 in 16 career starts against the Devil Rays.

"I felt good out their today," Colon said through an interpreter. "I was just trying to get in a good rhythm and get ahead of them. I had good command today and worked down in the zone. I'm just trying to go out there and get outs and not try to strike everyone out, just make quality pitches."

The two-time All-Star, who has received 18 runs of support from his offense in his first two outings, has allowed just three runs and a walk with 12 strikeouts since he made his season debut against Seattle last Saturday.

"He was on with his pitches and around the strike zone all day today," Devil Rays B.J. Upton. "He's one of the game's top pitchers and he proved that today."

The Angels, who have either tied or set a season high in runs in each of the last three games, benefited once again from the bat of Matthews, who recorded his sixth consecutive multi-hit game.

"I know that my job is to get on base and let the big bats drive me in," Matthews said. "I have been feeling comfortable at the plate lately and I feel like I'm seeing the ball better too."

With the Angels already leading 6-0 in the third, Matthews ignited a three-run inning with a run-scoring single to make the score 7-0. Matthews scored one of his two runs later in the inning on a double by Orlando Cabrera that provided a 9-0 bulge.

"Our offense continues to hit the ball hard and make things happen," Scioscia said. "We have been getting good all-around pitching and timely hitting and we just hope that continues."

Vladimir Guerrero began the five-run first with a two-run blast off Tampa Bay starter Jae Seo to give Anaheim a 2-0 lead. Shea Hillenbrand added three hits for Anaheim, which has scored 83 runs in 14 home games and 16 runs in eight road games.

"He (Guerrero) gave me some early run support and it helped me go out there and just relax and pitch my game," Colon said.

Seo (1-2), who has given up at least four runs in every start this season, allowed six runs and seven hits with two walks and a strikeout in just 1 1/3 innings.

"Last night, we got a solid outing from (Edwin) Jackson but (we) made some key errors," Devil Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "We know that they have a dangerous lineup over there, but if we can just get a game with solid pitching and good defense then I know we will be fine."

Carlos Pena blasted a two-run homer and Carl Crawford hit an RBI double for the Devil Rays, who have dropped two straight after sweeping the Yankees.

Tampa Bay outfielder Rocco Baldelli left the game in the third inning with a left knee contusion.