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Light-hitting Izturis goes deep again for Angels in comeback win

Aug 12, 2007 - 5:24 AM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- If Maicer Izturis is not a power hitter, he sure is doing a good impression of one.

Izturis homered for the second straight contest, helping the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim post a 4-3 comeback victory over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday.

John Lackey (15-6) became the majors second 15-game winner, tying Boston's Josh Beckett, who achieved the same goal earlier on Saturday. The righthander, who set a new career high in wins, allowed two runs and 10 hits over eight frames, striking out three.

"I felt like I executed my gameplan, I definitely wanted to throw more fastballs and challenge inside, I was able to make some good pitches to get the double play to get out of some jams," Lackey said.

The 26-year-old Izturis, who averages a home run once every 70.5 at-bats, belted his third homer in the last five games in the eighth, giving the Angels a 3-2 lead.

"The way (Izturis) has been swinging the bat has been special, its been huge for us," Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said. "He has been around long enough to know the home run is not his game, but we'll take it."

"In my mind, I'm not a home run hitter and never will be, I will welcome the bunt sign anytime, small-ball will always be my game," Izturis said.

The switch-hitter took the second pitch from Twins reliever Pat Neshek (6-2) over the fence in right for a two-run shot, continuing a frame that saw the Angels turn a 2-0 deficit into a 4-2 lead.

"You can never explain a feeling like this, its like being on a cloud." Izturis said.

Prior to the four-run eighth, Anaheim had been held in check all game long by Minnesota starter Carlos Silva, who permitted just two hits through seven scoreless innings. The righthander departed after 88 pitches, yielding to Neshek prior to the fateful eighth.

"(Silva) had tremendous movement on his fastball and sinker; he's around the zone enough to where he can make you chase his pitch," Izturis said.

Casey Kotchman hit an RBI double in the at-bat just before Izturis to account for the first Anaheim run, setting the table for the Angels' 29th comeback win of the season.

Anaheim added a much-needed insurance run when Twins catcher Joe Mauer was charged with a throwing error on a one-hop throw to third that was mishandled by shortstop Jason Bartlett. Reggie Willits, who was attempting to steal the base, easily scored after the ball rolled into foul territory.

Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez worked around an infield RBI single to Mike Redmond in the ninth to post his 29th save in 32 chances.

Neshek pitched just one-third of an inning, surrendered four runs - three earned - and two hits to take the loss. It marked just the eighth time in 57 appearances the righthander has allowed a run.

"(Neshek) is legit, he's got tough stuff to hit and we were fortunate to get some hits off him," Scioscia said. "They have a solid bullpen."

Joe Mauer had three hits for the Twins, who have scored three or fewer runs in nine of their last 10 contests. As a result, the team fell to 12-44 in such games.