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Izturis, Angels spoil return of Red Sox's Schilling

Aug 7, 2007 - 6:07 AM By Chris Padula PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim received some unlikely power late in the game to defeat the Boston Red Sox, 4-2, to spoil Curt Schilling's return from the disabled list.

Infielder Maicer Izturis, who entered with nine career home runs, belted his third home run of the season off of Schilling in the seventh innings to give the Angels a 3-2 lead.

"I was just trying to get on base anyway I could," Izturis said through an interpreter. "I got a pitch inside and put a good swing on it. I'm happy it was the run we needed to pull out the win."

Schilling (6-5) missed 40 games after being placed on the disabled list on June 19.

"I felt good physically, but the big question is how I will feel tomorrow," Schilling said.

The 40-year-old righthander was effective, going six strong innings and allowing four runs on nine hits. He struck out five batters and walked none on an 85-pitch count.

"It boiled down to four pitches in the game, which were bad hanging splits," Schilling said. "I hung those pitches as badly as I could have, it was extremely bad and disappointing."

It was Schilling's third straight defeat. Prior to going on the DL, he pitched a combined 9 1/3 innings, giving up 19 hits and 11 earned runs, in his last two starts.

"I just have to come back out tomorrow and fix what I did wrong and make adjustments," Schilling said.

Anaheim starter Jered Weaver, who had allowed 12 runs while getting roughed up in his previous two starts, got back on track against the best team in the American League and helped the Angels snapped a six-game losing streak against the Red Sox.

"Felt good to go back out there and pitch a good game," Weaver said. "I knew that I had to keep them off the board and keep us in the game."

The loss cut the Red Sox's lead in the American League East division to six games over the New York Yankees.

"We just have to stay focused on going out and trying to win game by game and see how it all works out," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said.

Weaver matched Schilling by going six effective innings, giving up two runs on six hits, issuing two walks and striking out four.

First baseman Kevin Youkilis got the Red Sox on the board in the third inning when he connected with his 12th home run on a full count off Weaver to make it a 2-0 game.

"I had good stuff tonight, but I made a bad pitch to Youkilis up in the zone and he hit it hard," Weaver said.

The Angels got to Schilling in the fourth inning when Casey Kotchman singled back up the middle to plate Garret Anderson and Gary Matthews Jr. and tie the game at 2-2.

"I just got a pitch up and I drove it back up the middle," Kotchman said. "I think Schilling missed location with that pitch."

Weaver pitched out of a jam in the sixth after J.D. Drew and Mike Lowell singled with one out. Weaver escaped by striking out Jason Varitek and Coco Crisp.

"He (Weaver) did a great job getting us out of that inning, especially against a team like the Red Sox," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

Anaheim tacked on a much-needed insurance run in the seventh. Catcher Jeff Mathis doubled after Izturis' home run and was sacrificed to third by Reggie Willits.

Chone Figgins hit sacrifice fly to left which was bobbled by Red Sox new call-up Brandon Moss, scoring Mathis for a 4-2 lead.

Moss made his major league debut after Boston left fielder Manny Ramirez was thrown out by home plate umpire James Hoye for arguing balls and strikes in the fourth inning.

"Once I saw Manny get kicked out, I just thought to myself here we go," Moss said. "I was excited to get in the game but not in that type of situation. I lost the ball in the lights and bobbled it, but somehow I made the catch."

Justin Speier (1-2) and Scot Shields bridged the gap to closer Francisco Rodriguez, who worked out of a jam in the ninth to record his 28th save of the season as the Angels extended their lead in the AL West to four games over Seattle.

"The bullpen is a big part to our team and anytime we can get the ball to those guys at the end of the game we know we have a good chance to win the game," Scioscia said.