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Saunders sharp again as Angels edge Orioles

Jul 26, 2008 - 4:12 AM BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- While Joe Saunders again was impressive, the bullpen for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim was just as effective.

Saunders tossed 6 2/3 solid innings and two relievers preserved the advantage as the Angels posted a 6-5 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night.

"We got a good thing going. We are swinging the bats well right now and our pitching has been there, especially our bullpen," Saunders said. "When you can hand it over to (Scot) Shields, (Francisco) Rodriguez, and the other guys - it's a good feeling."

Juan Rivera and Casey Kotchman each homered for Anaheim, which has won eight of its last nine games.

A first-time All-Star earlier this month, Saunders (13-5) continued his stellar season, allowing three runs and four hits while striking out two and walking two. The lefthander, who had allowed two runs or less in 13 of his previous 19 starts, improved to 4-0 lifetime against the Orioles.

"(Saunders) pitched well," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He pitched deep in the game and gave us a chance to win."

After Saunders' departure, Shields preserved a one-run lead by striking out Brian Roberts to end the seventh with runners on first and third.

"The bottom of the seventh was tough. I made some good pitches, and they hurt me when I made a mistake," Saunders said. "You tip your cap and move on. Shields picked me up very nicely."

The hard-throwing righthander hurled 1 1/3 scoreless frames, setting up Rodriguez, who allowed a ninth-inning homer by Kevin Millar - his second of the game - but stranded the tying run on second base to record his major league-leading 43rd save.

"What Scot Shields did in the seventh inning and getting us through the eighth was real important to us," Scioscia said. "And, of course, (Rodriguez) came through once again."

Anaheim built an early 5-1 lead thanks to Torii Hunter, who delivered a two-run double in the first. Rivera smacked a solo shot and Kotchman added a two-run blast in the second before Millar's first homer of the contest an inning later got the Orioles on the board.

"Millar's a gamer; it's good to see him have the kind of game he had tonight," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said.

In the seventh, Jay Payton hit a two-run double and Millar scored on a passed ball, drawing Baltimore within a run and knocking Saunders out of the game.

"We know that they (the Orioles) will fight back. Once we got that early lead you can't give up on them, they were one hit away from tying it up on us," Shields said. "They kept fighting. Their lineup is great. Luckily, we were able to hold them off."

Orioles starter Brian Burres (7-7) allowed five runs and seven hits in just 1 2/3 frames - his shortest outing of the season. The lefthander struck out one and walked one for Baltimore, which has lost four straight.

"Well, he pitched up and it looked they knew what was coming. They were very aggressive," Trembley said. "I think whatever he threw, they whacked it. They hit it on the barrel."