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Garland outduels Cabrera as Angels top Orioles

May 3, 2008 - 11:14 PM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Jon Garland tossed eight solid innings and Gary Matthews Jr. drove in a pair of runs to lead the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to a 3-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday.

Reggie Willits, playing in his second straight game after being recalled from Class AAA Salt Lake, had two hits and drove in a run for the Angels (19-13), who became the first American League team to reach 19 wins this season.

Garland (4-3) allowed one run and three hits in eight innings while walking one and striking out a batter. The veteran righthander bounced back strong from his last outing in which he allowed seven earned runs in six innings to take a loss against Oakland.

"It was good seeing Reggie get on base and make things happen today," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "It was a good win, with a solid outing from Jon and the bullpen coming in and doing their job."

Garland surrendered a leadoff single in the second inning by Aubrey Huff, who moved to second on a groundout and scored the game's first run on Luke Scott's single. But Garland settled down after that, retiring the next 13 batters before Melvin Mora's double in the seventh.

"Just knew that going against a guy like (Daniel Cabrera) that he was going to make it tough on our hitters," Garland said. "I just wanted to keep us in the game and give us a chance to win."

With Anaheim trailing, 1-0, in the sixth inning, Orioles starter Cabrera hit rookie Brandon Wood with a pitch and issued a one-out walk to Chone Figgins. Willits then evened the contest with an RBI single before Matthews put the Angels on top, 2-1, with a sacrifice fly.

"It was just one of those where good teams take advantage of situations like that," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "(Cabrera) pitched a great game for us again but came out on the losing end."

Cabrera (2-1) allowed three runs and six hits in 7 1/3 frames while striking out six and issuing a pair of walks.

"Cabrera had his stuff going for him in the game," Orioles catcher Ramon Hernandez said. "He was aggressive and just went after them and pitched a good game."

The tall righthander allowed Figgins to score on Matthews' RBI groundout before being pulled in the eighth.

"(Figgins) went on first contact and made a great slide to avoid the tag and give us a big run at the end of the game," Scioscia said.

Francisco Rodriguez struck out one in a perfect ninth to notch his 12th save in 13 chances.