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Izturis, Guerrero lead Angels past White Sox

Apr 29, 2007 - 11:45 PM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have forgotten all about their six-game losing streak earlier this season.

Kelvim Escobar pitched 7 2/3 strong innings and Maicer Izturis homered as the Angels picked up a 5-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

Vladimir Guerrero added his seventh home run and Erick Aybar drove in two runs for the Angels, who won for the eighth time in 10 games since their slide.

"The last couple of games we did the things we needed to do," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We pitched very well and on the offensive side we got some hits to fall in when guys were in scoring position. It's important to bring our game on the field and today we were able to do it."

Escobar (2-1) allowed two runs, four hits and one walk while striking out three. Francisco Rodriguez recorded the final four outs for his eighth save.

"I felt good today, I was under control," Escobar said. "All my pitches were working pretty good."

After falling behind, 2-0, the Angels took their first lead in the fifth inning.

With two outs, Orlando Cabrera singled off starter Mark Buehrle (2-1) and stole second. Izturis followed with a single for his second RBI of the game, giving the Angels a 3-2 edge.

Izturis' day was cut short as he left the game in the seventh with tightness in his right hamstring.

The Angels thought they had padded their lead in the seventh, but a questionable call by plate umpire Adam Dowdy erased the run.

Reggie Willits opened the inning with a single and advanced to third on a hit by Gary Matthews Jr., who moved up to second on the throw. Buehrle was replaced by David Aardsma.

Cabrera followed with a fly down the left field line that saw Ryan Sweeney make an outstanding diving grab. Willits tagged up and raced across home plate.

However, White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski immediately called for an appeal, and Willits was called out for leaving third too early. Based on TV replays, it appeared Willits had left at the same time the ball was caught.

Scioscia argued to no avail and was ejected for the first time this season by Dowdy. The half-inning ended moments later when Aybar, who replaced Izturis, struck out.

"Reggie was in motion, but his foot was in contact with the bag," Scioscia said. "You've got to be a thousand percent sure to make that call, and I thought (Willits left third base) on time."

"It was a weird play because the ball's behind me, so I have to turn my back to look," Willits said. "It's just one of those things where I think the umpire saw my upper body moving around, but where the ball was hit, I had to turn to look."

Aybar had a two-run single in the ninth off closer Bobby Jenks.

The White Sox took the early lead with two runs in the third.

Alex Cintron singled and moved to second when first baseman Shea Hillenbrand was unable to handle a pickoff throw from Escobar. Juan Uribe flied out and Sweeney grounded out. However, Darin Erstad hit a 3-2 pitch over the wall in right field for his second home run of the season.

"This kid is a warrior," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said of Erstad. "I don't think he had anything to show them. They know what kind of player he is. I feel proud, and it's fun when you play against your former teammates and play the way he did."

Erstad, who played for the Angels from 1996-2006, has gone 6-for-12 with a home run, double, three RBI and three runs scored in his first three games against his former team.

"(My performance) doesn't matter," Erstad said. "We lost two out of three and we lost the series. We're here to win the series and it didn't happen. That's all that matters."

The Angels were quick to tie the game in their next at-bat as Izturis and Guerrero led off with back-to-back home runs to left field. It was the first homer of the year for Izturis.

"It's great to fall behind and then come right back to tie the game," Escobar said. "You have then go out there and keep the game going (our way)."

Buehrle allowed three runs, nine hits and one walk while striking out eight. The lefthander, who was seeking his 100th career win, had allowed nine hits in his previous three starts.

"The first couple innings, I couldn't hit a spot and I was getting them out," Buehrle said. "The last couple innings, they got some cheap base hits and broke things open."

"Another wasted good pitching (performance)," Guillen said. "The hardest thing in baseball is to pitch and pitch well. And we're wasting good pitching. Those guys are going out and pitching well, and we're not helping them. The hitters know, and they're frustrated."

Prior to the game, the White Sox placed slugger Jim Thome on the 15-day disabled list with a muscle strain in his right rib cage. Thome is batting .340 and tied for the team lead in home runs with five.