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Matthews, Santana help Angels outlast Tigers

May 28, 2008 - 5:41 AM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Ervin Santana held up his end and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim rewarded their starter with some late-inning heroics.

Santana logged a complete game and Gary Matthews Jr. stroked the game-winning hit in the ninth inning Tuesday night to lift the Angels to a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers.

With runners at first and second and the score tied, 2-2, Matthews ripped a two-out single to right-center field off Tigers reliever Aquilino Lopez (2-1), plating Sean Rodriguez from second base.

"We win our games here with solid pitching and timely hitting," said Matthews, who is hitting just .218 this season. "I was looking for a ball up in the zone and to be aggressive. I've made my hits count so far this season if it wasn't for my low average. Hopefully, I can start putting together more consistent at bats."

Santana (7-2) gave up two runs and three hits while striking out seven to earn his second complete game of the season.

"We just keep winning games and doing our best," he said. "This was a huge win, a tough game, and a good battle."

The Tigers scored their only runs when Miguel Cabrera blasted a two-run home run - his eighth of the season - in the second inning after Magglio Ordonez opened the frame with a single off Santana.

However, the 25-year-old righthander settled down, retiring the next 12 batters in order before surrendering a single to Brandon Inge to lead off the sixth.

That's all the offense Detroit mounted against Santana, who retired the final 11 batters he faced.

"I have just been pitching the same way ... all year," Santana said. "Just throw strikes and have good command."

After trailing nearly the entire game, Los Angeles evened the score in the eighth inning.

Reggie Willits opened the frame with an infield single to shortstop after pinch-hitting for Brandon Wood and advanced to second on Rodriguez's base hit.

"I wanted to pinch-hit Reggie since Brandon was struggling at the plate tonight and hopefully for him to hit the ball on the ground and use his speed to get on base," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Reggie always seems to find his way on base in situations like that."

"I was just trying to get up there and make something happen," Willits said. "I wanted to get into a deep count and just get on base."

Maicer Izturis advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt, bouncing Detroit starter Jeremy Bonderman from the game.

"I was just trying to do my best to keep those guys from getting on base and making things happen," Bonderman said. "I had good control of my pitches and felt good out there tonight."

Reliever Francisco Cruceta got Matthews to strike out for the first out of the inning, but threw a wild pitch, allowing Willits to score and Rodriguez to move to third.

After Vladimir Guerrero walked, Garret Anderson tied the score with a single to right field.

Bonderman gave up just two runs and six hits in 7 1/3 innings, walking one while striking out seven, but he did not factor in the decision as Detroit suffered its third straight loss.

"Our offense is just non-existent," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "We only had three hits tonight and two came back-to-back. Bonderman was tremendous tonight, and if we just score a couple more runs, he wins easily."