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Lackey dominant in Angels win over Rangers

May 12, 2007 - 6:49 AM ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- John Lackey came within two outs of his fifth career complete game and helped the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim continue their dominance over the Texas Rangers.

Lackey was stellar into the ninth inning as the Angels notched a 6-3 victory over the Rangers on Friday.

Anaheim swept Texas to open the season and have won 36 of the last 51 meetings between the two.

A native of Albilene, Texas, Lackey (5-3) was dominant in his return. He retired 16 straight batters from the first into the seventh inning and threw 69 of 95 pitches for strikes.

The righthander allowed a single to Kenny Lofton in the ninth, followed by a run-scoring double by Michael Young. Sammy Sosa then chased Lackey from the game with a two-run homer in the ninth, his eighth of the season and 596th of his career.

"John pitched a terrific game," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "The last inning didn't quite go the way he would have liked but the bigger picture is that he got us 25 outs against a tough hitting ballclub."

Lackey allowed three runs and five hits with seven strikeouts and one walk in 8 1/3 innings.

"I really wanted to try and finish it," Lackey said, "but I challenged them and they found a couple of holes on me. Scot Shields got the final two outs for his third save of the year.

The Angels took a 2-0 lead against Texas starter Vicente Padilla in the third when Chone Figgins hit a one-out single and moved to third on a single by rookie Reggie Willits. Orlando Cabrera scored Figgins with a single to left and, after Vladimir Guerrero walked, Matthews drove Willits home with a sacrifice fly to center.

The early runs helped Lackey pitch without worrying that one mistake could be the difference.

"The early runs I got from the guys helped me out as I was able to challenge the hitters and get ahead," Lackey said.

"Willits and Cabrera really set the table for us tonight," said Scioscia. "We did a good job against Padilla. We got some pitches to hit and were really able to square them up."

Padilla (1-5) was a tough-luck loser as he defense let him down. The Angels scored two unearned runs in the fifth. With one-out and the bases loaded, Matthews hit a double-play ball that went right through second baseman Ian Kinsler's legs allowing Willits and Cabrera to score for a 4-0 lead.

"Sometimes he loses a little focus," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "If he makes that double play, we're off the field."

"I just missed it," Kinsler said. "I wasn't trying to let it go through my legs but I just missed it. It happens and it's probably not the last time but hopefully I make that play next time." Padilla allowed four runs - three earned - and seven hits in seven innings.

The Angels added two more runs off reliever Ron Mahay in the ninth, when Kendry Morales had an RBI double and Figgins drove in a run with a groundout.