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Pinch triple by Aybar leads Angels past Red Sox

Jul 20, 2008 - 12:27 AM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- It took Erick Aybar just one at-bat to turn the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim's fortunes on Saturday.

Aybar came on as a pinch hitter with the bases loaded in the seventh inning and laced a triple into the right field corner to lead the Angels to a 4-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday.

Chone Figgins had two hits and stole a base for Anaheim, which has won four games in a row.

"These last two games couldn't have gone any better for us after the (All-Star) break," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

After failing to score against Josh Beckett (9-6) in the first six innings, the Angels got to the ace righthander in the

seventh. Vladimir Guerrero cut the deficit to 2-1 with a solo blast to lead off the frame, and Torii Hunter and Garret

Anderson followed with singles before being sacrificed along by pinch hitter Reggie Willits.

"Josh (Beckett) threw the ball well today but just ran into some trouble in the seventh inning and couldn't get out of trouble," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said.

Following an intentional walk to Howie Kendrick, Aybar took Jeff Mathis' place at the plate and sent a 1-0 pitch past diving first baseman Kevin Youkilis to clear the bases and cap the four-run frame.

"I was just looking for a pitch I could handle and make something happen," Aybar said through an interpreter. "I got a pitch inside and turned on it. It was good for us to get a win against (Beckett)."

All-Star lefthander Joe Saunders got the start for the Angels and allowed two runs in 6 2/3 frames before yielding to rookie righthander Jose Arredondo (4-0), who struck out All-Star Game MVP J.D. Drew with two on to end a threat.

"Got off to a shaky start but found my command and just tried to be aggressive against them," Saunders said. "I just had to work out some tough situations and keep us in the game."

Scot Shields tossed a scoreless eighth and Francisco Rodriguez worked around a hit and a walk in the ninth to notch his 39th save.

Beckett, who was making his first appearance at Angel Stadium since a four-hit shutout in the American League Division Series last season, allowed nine hits and four runs in eight innings while walking one and striking out six.

"I had to battle more today than usual," Beckett said. "I didn't have great stuff, but I felt like I pitched better than my numbers showed. They just got guys who can scrap, and I never feel comfortable against those guys with any lead."

Youkilis provided the only offense for the Red Sox with a two-run blast in the second - his career-high 17th homer of the season.

"I was looking for a good fastball to hit and hit it back up the middle, but I got a good pitch and put a good swing on it," Youkilis said. "We'll bounce back. We just need to put more runs across."