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Escobar, Angels shut out Indians

May 10, 2007 - 11:45 PM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Kelvim Escobar has never pitched better for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Escobar pitched a seven-hitter to win his third straight start and Gary Matthews Jr. hit a three-run homer as the Angels defeated the Cleveland Indians, 8-0, on Thursday.

Escobar (4-1) had a season-high nine strikeouts while throwing 76 of his 103 pitches for strikes en route to his fourth career shutout and eighth career complete game.

"Kelvim threw an amazing game today," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "For him to strike out nine guys and keep his pitch count close to 100 pitches tells you that the he had his best stuff working today."

It is the first time Escobar has won three straight outings since September 13-24, 2003, when he was with Toronto. During his winning streak, the righthander has allowed just 17 hits and three earned runs to lower his overall ERA to 2.21.

"I've worked on some of my mechanics lately and I feel like I'm in a really good groove right now," Escobar said. "I just want to continue to go out there and keep our team close in games."

Anaheim exploded for five runs in the third, breaking open a scoreless game.

"That inning was the game," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "When a guy like Kelvim was cruising like that, you just can't give him runs to work with."

After Jose Molina led off with a single, Chone Figgins doubled off Indians starter Jeremy Sowers.

Sowers recorded two outs before intentionally walking slugger Vladimir Guerrero to load the bases. But Robb Quinlan stroked a two-run single and Matthews hit an 0-1 pitch over the center field wall to give Anaheim a 5-0 advantage.

"Walking Guerrero in that situation is something every team would do," Sowers said. "If I was put in that situation again, I would do the same thing. This time, it just didn't work out for us."

It was the fourth homer of the season and second in as many games for Matthews.

The Angels scored in the fourth on a double steal. With runners at first and third, Reggie Willits broke for second and drew a throw. Molina ran home and beat the return throw from second baseman Mike Rouse.

"I never in my life thought I would ever steal home," Molina said. "I was surprised when I saw Scioscia give the call, but I just thought, 'Run!'"

Guerrero added a two-run double off reliever Edward Mujica in the sixth to make it 8-0.

Anaheim has won two in a row after a three-game slide.

"It's good to take the series from a good team like the Indians, so hopefully we can keep it going on the road trip," said Escobar, whose Angels start a seven-game road trip in Texas on Friday.

Sowers (0-3) surrendered six runs, nine hits and a walk, striking out two.