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Hunter, Angels defeat Orioles on walk-off walk

Aug 5, 2008 - 6:26 AM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Torii Hunter helped the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim erase the memory of squandering a four-run lead, scoring the winning run on Chone Figgins' walk to lift his club to a 6-5 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Monday.

Vladimir Guerrero hit a two-run home run in the third inning for the Angels, who became the first team in the majors to reach the 70-win mark this season.

Hunter led off the ninth with a double off Orioles closer George Sherill (3-6) and advanced to third on Garret Anderson's groundout.

"I just wanted to make something happen after we lost the lead late in the game," Hunter said. "I got an elevated pitch and just was trying to hustle for a double."

After issuing an intentional pass to Howie Kendrick, it appeared Sherill might get out of the jam when he got Juan Rivera to fly out. But Sherill then relinquished back-to-back walks to Jeff Mathis and Figgins, plating the winning run.

"Our guys never give up and it showed tonight after the let down in the ninth inning," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

The Orioles rallied for four runs in the ninth, tying the contest at 5-5 and costing Angels starter Joe Saunders his 15th win of the season.

"I'm really proud of our team, how they came back against the best team in baseball," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "I got a lot of respect for them and it showed what they are made of tonight, but just wish we could have got the win."

Anaheim reliever Scot Shields relinquished two singles and departed with two outs, leaving closer Francisco Rodriguez (2-2) just one out away from his major league-leading 46th save of the season.

It looked be over when Brian Roberts hit a sharp grounder to first base, but Mark Teixeira could not handle it, loading the bases.

"That's a ball that I should have had," Teixeira said. "I'm just happy that it didn't cost us the win and definitely good to get the win after it was all said and done."

Nick Markakis followed with a two-run single and after the runners moved up on a wild pitch, Melvin Mora delivered a game-tying two-run double down the left field line.

Saunders, who was attempting to join Cleveland's Cliff Lee as the American League's only 15-game winners, gave up one run and six hits with two walks and two strikeouts over six frames.

"It's just baseball and it's something out of my control," Saunders said. "The most important thing is that our team ended up winning the game after giving up the lead. Just turn the page and get ready for my next start."