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Litsch, Stairs step up to down Angels

Aug 24, 2007 - 6:06 AM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Rookie Jesse Litsch tossed 6 1/3 strong innings and Matt Stairs had two RBI in a pivotal sixth frame as the Toronto Blue Jays posted a 5-4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Thursday.

Litsch (5-6) overcame a rough two-run first by the Angels, allowing only the first of Vladimir Guerrero's two solo homers after that before departing after yielding three runs - two earned - and six hits. Even though he fell victim to an unearned run in his third straight start, the righthander grabbed his first win this month.

With Toronto trailing, 3-2, in the fifth, Stairs personally accounted for each of the three runs in the frame that provided the necessary working margin.

"He's just a professional hitter," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "He has been so productive for us with the number of at-bats he has this season."

Reed Johnson singled and Lyle Overbay doubled before Stairs lined a two-run, two-base hit to center off Angels starter Ervin Santana (5-12) that gave the Blue Jays their first lead.

"I felt good in the beginning by getting ahead of their hitters and getting some easy outs," said Santana, who retired nine of the first 10 batters he faced. "For some reason, I just lost control on some of my pitches and couldn't find the zone."

In the next at-bat against Vernon Wells, Santana uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Stairs to take third. Trying to make a play, Anaheim catcher Ryan Budde sailed a throw well over the head of third baseman Maicer Izturis, enabling the 39-year-old Stairs to score and increase the advantage to 5-3.

"Mistakes are a part of baseball, and that's just the game," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We take away that run from the throw and we might be playing extra innings, but we just have to put this one behind us and come out ready to play tomorrow."

Casey Janssen surrendered Guerrero's second homer in the eighth before handing the game over to closer Jeremy Accardo, who tossed a perfect ninth for his 25th save in 29 chances. In doing so, the righthander extended his scoreless-games streak to 10.

"I started off slow and finished up strong, I guess you could say," Litsch said. "I got down early in the game, but the guys picked me up with their bats."

Santana lasted six innings, surrendering five runs, eight hits and a walk with four strikeouts.

The win continued a long trend between the teams as the Blue Jays won for the 24th in 35 games against the Angels, who had won 11 of their last 13 games at home.