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Saunders wins third straight start as Angels beat O's

Jun 3, 2007 - 6:01 AM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Apparently winning can't keep Joe Saunders in the major leagues.

Saunders pitched six solid innings and Erick Aybar and Chone Figgins drove in two runs each as the Los Angeles Angels coasted to a 7-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday night.

After winning two of his three starts to begin the season, the 25-year-old Saunders was returned to the minor leagues to make room for Bartolo Colon. But he was recalled earlier Saturday from Class AAA Salt Lake to start in place of Colon, who is suffering from triceps tendinitis.

Saunders (3-0) gave up two runs and four hits with three walks to win his third straight major-league outing.

"Good thing to get a win," Saunders said. "I had some control issues and walked some guys early on. I just made some adjustments and found the zone. I try to make the most of it when I'm here and help give the team some wins. My defense played great and I made my pitches. I just try to make the most of it when called to pitch up here."

However, Saunders' stay in the big leagues was once again shortlived as he was optioned back to Salt Lake following the game to make run for Garret Anderson, who is set to come off the disabled list Sunday. The lefthander ran into trouble in the second, when he walked Kevin Millar and hit Melvin Mora with a pitch before Ramon Hernandez laced a two-run double to center field that gave Baltimore a 2-0 advantage.

"Saunders battled and his command was not as crisp as his last time out here for us, but he kept us in the game and got the win," Angles manager Mike Scioscia said. "He's going to be a good pitcher for us. Joe is showing us that he's ready for the challenge of being up here and he's going to pitch up here in the majors for a long time."

However, Saunders settled down and did not allow any baserunners past second base en route to recording his first career win against the Orioles.

Trailing, 2-0, in the second, Anaheim's offense awoke, as Aybar and Shea Hillenbrand stroked run-scoring singles against Baltimore starter Steve Trachsel (4-4) and Figgins added an RBI groundout for a 3-2 Angels lead.

"We kept putting runners on base and gave us an opportunity to put runs on the board," Figgins said.

Mike Napoli delivered a two-run homer in the fourth and Orlando Cabrera lofted a sacrifice fly one inning later to extend the lead to 6-2.

"We did a lot of things well offensively, we got on base, ran well, and drove the ball," Scioscia said.

Trachsel lasted just three frames, allowing five runs and five hits with four walks, snapping his personal three-game winning streak.

"I just didn't have my best stuff," Trachsel said. "My team got on the board early and I just seemed to be in a jam every inning. I just have to put this start behind me and get ready for my next one." "(Trachsel) has been throwing the ball good lately but not really best stuff," Baltimore manager Sam Perlozzo said. "Didn't have command of really anything, it's just one of those outings. He has been pitching great, but labored with his command."