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Angels get just enough late offense to down White Sox

May 14, 2008 - 6:01 AM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- A lack of offense contributed greatly to a recent four-game losing streak by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Throughout most of Tuesday's game, it looked like it may cost them again.

Mike Napoli's sacrifice fly and an RBI single from Robb Quinlan broke up a scoreless tie in the eighth inning, sending the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to a 2-0 win over the Chicago White Sox.

Jered Weaver pitched one-hit ball for seven innings for Anaheim, which scored just nine runs during its losing streak and was shut out in back-to-back contests while being swept in three weekend games in Tampa Bay.

The offensive slump appeared to be ending after the team posted 15 runs over the past two games, including Monday's 10-7 series-opening win over the White Sox - but returned in full force as Chicago held Anaheim scoreless through seven innings on Tuesday.

"You can't look past the 10 runs we scored last night because we have been struggling with our bats as of late," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

However, the Angels - who stranded at least one runner in each of the first seven innings - finally broke through in the eighth after Torii Hunter opened the inning with a single off Octavio Dotel (1-2).

Chicago then turned to Matt Thornton to give the White Sox the matchup advantage against the lefthanded-hitting Garret Anderson, who entered the game batting .226 vs. lefthanded pitching. But Anderson made the strategy backfire when he ripped a single to right to place runners on the corners.

Napoli followed with a fly ball deep enough to center field to plate Hunter. Following a flyout by Casey Kotchman, Quinlan looped a single into right to plate Anderson.

"All I was trying to do was look for a pitch up in the zone and hit the ball deep enough in the outfield to get the run home," Napoli said. "I had a feeling with how the pitching was tonight that one run would be enough for either team. I'm just happy that it was us that came out on the winning end."

Scot Shields (2-0) pitched a scoreless eighth before handing the ball over in the ninth to closer Francisco Rodriguez, who worked around a one-out double to Carlos Quentin to post his 16th save in 17 chances.

Although he required 109 pitches over seven frames, Weaver pitched brilliantly, yielding just two walks with six strikeouts.

"I started off good and just felt good all the way through," Weaver said. "I was able to locate my pitches and it was fun to battle with (White Sox starter John) Danks tonight. I was just worried about hitting the glove and (throwing) like the old Jered."

Danks tossed 6 1/3 scoreless innings, permitting seven hits with two walks and five strikeouts.

Although the lefthander turned in his sixth straight start of allowing two runs or less, he was once again victimized by a lack of offense, receiving no run support for the fourth time in his last six turns.

"Everyone is struggling in the lineup so I'm going to shake things up tomorrow," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "Weaver threw well, but the offense didn't swing the bat well."

"I felt good out there and it was a good pitchers' duel tonight," Danks said. "I just have to keep going out and pitching the way I know how because this offense will break out."