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Mathis spurs Angels past Indians

Jul 23, 2008 - 6:28 AM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Pitchers' duels have become commonplace for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. However, it is their success in those contests that has helped them sport the best record in the major leagues at the 100-game mark.

Jeff Mathis snapped a tie with a solo home run in the fifth inning Tuesday, powering the Angels to a 3-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians.

With the game even at 2-2, Mathis launched a 2-2 outside fastball from Matt Ginter (1-1) into the Angels' bullpen in left-center field for his seventh home run.

"I have been struggling lately, but I managed to put a good swing on the ball and hit a big home run for us," Mathis said. "It felt good to help contribute to the win tonight."

Even though the Angels managed two hits from that point on, their vaunted bullpen stepped up after starter Jered Weaver left prior to the fourth with back stiffness. They closed the game with six scoreless frames, allowing four hits and two walks with six strikeouts.

Darren Oliver (4-1) came on in relief of Weaver and allowed one hit in 2 2/3 frames before Jose Arredondo and Scot Shields bridged the 2 1/3-inning gap to closer Francisco Rodriguez, who worked around a walk to Grady Sizemore in the ninth to notch his 41st save in 44 chances.

"I just had to be ready to pitch as long as they needed me tonight," Oliver said. "This was a good win for us, and we just want to come out and try to take the series tomorrow."

"Darren came in and gave us a big lift after Jered came out of the game," Mathis said. "He just went right after their hitters and kept us in the game."

Weaver, who allowed two runs and three hits, left after throwing 77 pitches and is considered day-to-day.

Anaheim (61-39), which has won 17 games when scoring no more than three runs, has played in 58 contests this season decided by two runs or less, going a major league-best 39-19.

"The reason for our close games is due to the pitching staff picking us up all year," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We need our offense to get going and, lately, they are starting to score runs, which takes pressure off the pitchers."

While this one ended up being another defensive struggle, it did not start out that way.

Sizemore greeted Weaver with his sixth homer to open a game this season - breaking Kenny Lofton's previous club record - and the 17th of his career, one off Lofton's franchise mark.

"I don't try to go up there and lead off the game with a home run," Sizemore said. "I just try to look for a pitch I can drive into a hole somewhere and get on base and let the guys behind me drive me in."

Franklin Gutierrez doubled the lead in the second with a RBI triple.

The Angels knotted the game in the bottom of the frame. After Howie Kendrick and Juan Rivera recorded back-to-back, one-out singles to put runners on the corners, Mathis followed with a run-scoring groundout.

Mathis stole second and scored on a single by Reggie Willits to forge a tie.

"This was a good baseball game tonight," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "The difference for us was that we were just one hit away all night and unable to execute and get the job done."