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Angels pound Tigers as offense continues to produce

Jul 29, 2007 - 1:32 AM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Garret Anderson hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning to lift the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to a 10-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday.

Anderson connected for his fifth homer of the season off reliever Tim Byrdak with one out after Gary Matthews Jr. had been intentionally walked.

The shot by Anderson snapped a 3-3 tie and then the floodgates opened. Reggie Willits and Chone Figgins each added RBI singles later in the frame and Orlando Cabrera hit a two-run homer to cap the seven-run uprising.

"We had a great game from a lot of guys," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Jeff Mathis, Reggie Willits and obviously the big hit by Garret driving the ball was huge for us."

There was a bit of controversy surrounding Anderson's blast as Detroit manager Jim Leyland argued that a fan interfered with the ball.

"I don't talk about the umpires, I don't get into that," Leyland said. "I don't want to discuss the umpires. I mean, you guys saw the play and you can form your own opinion."

The win was the third straight for the Angels, who have scored 37 runs in their last five games. The Tigers have lost three in a row and five of seven.

"I think some guys are re-emerging," Scioscia said. "You see Garret is getting into his game and he's driving the ball very well."

Carlos Guillen put the Tigers in front, 1-0, with an RBI single in the first. Magglio Ordonez put Detroit up, 3-1, in the sixth with a two-run home run, his 16th of the season, off Angels starter Joe Saunders.

The Angels tied the game, 1-1, in the fifth on an RBI single by Willits. After the home run by Ordonez, the Angels answered back with a pair of runs in the home half of the frame.

Casey Kotchman doubled to deep center to score Cabrera. Kotchman later scored on a single by catcher Mathis to make it 3-3.

"It feels great to produce for the team and get some confidence from these guys," Mathis said. "To know that I can produce up here and produce for these guys and get a win, feels good."

Mathis has taken over as the Angels' starting catcher with Mike Napoli out with a strained right hamstring and Jose Molina having been traded to the New York Yankees last week.

Willits and Mathis each had three hits as the Angels continued their recent offensive explosion.

"I'm happy the offense is going," Scioscia said. "I'm happier that we're controlling one of the best offenses in baseball. Detroit has an incredible lineup and we've been able to at least control them and give our offense a chance."

Scot Shields (3-3) allowed a walk and struck out one in the eighth to pick up the win.

Jason Grilli (5-3) yielded two runs and three hits in two innings to take the loss.

"That's a tough club over there," Scioscia said. "From the offensive side, you have to really pitch well. Joe Saunders did, Chris Bootcheck did a great job, Justin Speier had a big out, along with Shields and Darren Oliver finishing it out."