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Kendrick's walk-off infield single propels Angels in victory

Sep 1, 2007 - 6:28 AM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Another day, another exciting win for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Garret Anderson homered and scored the winning run on Howie Kendrick's walk-off infield single in the 10th inning as the Angels downed the Texas Rangers, 7-6, in the opener of a three-game series on Friday.

Kendrick's extra-inning RBI hit was just the latest in a long line of dramatic finishes for Anaheim, which notched its 15th victory in its final at-bat. It also marked the 32nd time this season the Angels have come from behind to win.

"A lot of guys battled today and we got the win," Kendrick said. "I think this team just has a lot of heart, and that's why we have been able to come back when we are down."

Anderson, who belted a two-run homer in the fifth to give the Angels a 5-4 lead, drew a leadoff walk in the 10th from Frank Francisco (1-1) and advanced on a sacrifice by Maicer Izturis before Kendry Morales was walked intentionally. Casey Kotchman bounced into a forceout, with Anderson moving to third.

"We did some little things that helped us pull this game out, but we also didn't play as clean as we have been," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We were just sloppy."

Kendrick, who finished with three RBI, followed with a grounder that deflected off Francisco's bare hand. Second baseman Ian Kinsler fielded the ball, but his throw to first was late, and Anderson crossed the plate with the winning run.

"I just went up there and tried to look for a fastball to hit because of how hard (Francisco) throws," Kendrick said. "To tell you the truth, that's all I was going up thinking."

Darren Oliver (2-0) tossed a perfect 10th inning for the win.

Trailing, 6-5, in the ninth, the Rangers were down to their final two outs when Michael Young reached on an infield single against Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez and stole second. Sammy Sosa followed with check-swing, opposite-field bloop single over the head of first baseman Kotchman to drive in the tying run.

"We got a little lucky in the ninth with Sammy's hit, but we are going to have to take a hit like that against a guy like Franky," Kinsler said.

Rodriguez blew his fifth save in 38 chances. Even with the blown save from the normally reliable closer, the Angels won their 143rd consecutive game in which it carried a lead into the ninth inning.

"I feel fine," Rodriguez said. "I just missed with my location."

With the win, the Angels (80-54) increased their lead in the American League West Division over second-place Seattle (73-60)- which lost to the Toronto Blue Jays earlier Friday - to 6 1/2 games.

"We just can't worry about what Seattle does," Kendrick said. "Just have to do our job and win games."

Kinsler finished with three hits for the Rangers, who saw their season-high five-game winning streak come to an end.

"We fought them to the end tonight and kept coming back," Kinsler said. "All we want to do is finish strong, but they just beat us tonight."