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Orioles shut out Angels in series finale

Sep 14, 2007 - 2:29 AM BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- The Baltimore Orioles snapped a three-game losing streak, shutting out the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 3-0, on Thursday night to salvage the finale of the three-game series.

Orioles starter Jon Leicester held the Angels scoreless into the sixth inning and Scott Moore had two RBI as the Orioles ended the Angels' six-game road win streak.

Leicester (2-1), who made just his second start after spending most of the season in the bullpen, allowed four hits over 5 2/3 innings.

The 28-year-old righthander struck out one and walked three, earning consecutive wins after leading Baltimore to victory on Saturday over the Boston Red Sox in his first start in over two years.

"I just tried to get them to swing the bat early," Leicester said. "It kept the (defense) on their toes and they made some great plays."

Three relievers bridged the gap to Jamie Walker, who pitched the final 1 1/3 innings for his fifth save of the season.

"It was a case of terrific pitching letting us do some things," said Orioles fill-in manager Tom Trebelhorn, who was subbing for Dave Trembley, who was suspended three games and fined an undisclosed amount for his actions against the Angels on Wednesday night.

"Tonight we were able to to run a little bit and set some things up and we were able to get the lead and slow their game down."

Leicester out-pitched Angels ace John Lackey and didn't allow a runner to reach third base in any inning.

"I pretty much followed Paul's (Orioles catcher Paul Bako) lead out there," Leicester said. "He caught me in Chicago, so he knows me pretty well."

The Angels put runners on first and second in the first inning, but Leicester got Garret Anderson to fly out before Maicer Izturis grounded out to end the threat.

Los Angeles put runners on first and second with two outs in the sixth off Leicester, but reliever Jim Hoey got Casey Kotchman to ground out to second base to preserve Leicester's scoreless outing.

"We had a couple of opportunities that we didn't come through on and that may have changed the outcome of the game," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

Lackey (16-9) surrendered three runs and nine hits over seven innings. The righthander struck out eight and walked one and remains winless over his last three starts.

"He pitched well enough to win," Scioscia said. "He gave us a chance to win tonight."

"Only so much I can do, man," Lackey said. "Felt pretty good. Pretty much felt like I got about the max I could have got out of me."

The Orioles opened the scoring in the second inning, taking a 2-0 lead off Lackey. Jay Payton led off with a double and scored when Moore followed with a double of his own. After Brandon Fahey reached on a fielder's choice and stole second, Tike Redman drove in Fahey with a single to center field.

"It was fun with all the back-ups out there and we came out with a win," Fahey said. "I had a blast."

Baltimore added a run in the sixth when Moore lifted a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Aubrey Huff, who reached on a base hit and advanced to third on a single by Payton.

"We haven't had a lot of good baseball games in our facility lately," Trebelhorn said. "This was a baseball game, thank goodness, it was truly a baseball game and it was a lot of fun for everybody on our side."