• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Anderson, Kotchman power Angels past Indians

Sep 7, 2007 - 6:25 AM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- A matchup of divisional leaders turned into a rout as the American League West-leading Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim defeated the Central-leading Cleveland Indians, 10-3, on Thursday.

Garret Anderson hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning and finished with three hits and three RBI.

The veteran slugger was having one of the worst seasons in his 14-year career before driving in 10 runs in a game against the New York Yankees on August 21. Since then, Anderson is batting 417 with nine homers and 31 RBI.

"I have never seen anyone do what Garret is doing right now with the bat since I've been in the league," Angels starter Kelvim Escobar said.

His fifth-inning RBI single gave him an RBI in 11 straight games, breaking a franchise record.

"I just can't explain it," Anderson said. "I'm just glad that the RBI meant something at that point in the game. Being healthy is a big part of the way I'm hitting right now."

Casey Kotchman drove in three runs and capped a four-run, fifth-inning rally with a two-run double for the Angels, who now own an eight-game cushion over the Seattle Mariners (74-64) in the West.

"(I) just wanted to go up there and get quality at-bats," Kotchman said. "We knew without (Vladimir Guerrero, who missed the game with an inflamed right triceps) in the lineup that we had to pick our games up. He's a big part of the puzzle."

Escobar (16-7) bounced back from one his worst outings of the year last Saturday, when he allowed five runs in just 2 2/3 innings to suffer a loss. The Venezuelan righthander was sharper Thursday, striking out eight while allowing three runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings.

"The key for me today was to minimize damage," Escobar said. "I just didn't want to give in, and right now we are playing good baseball."

Escobar improved his career mark against the Indians to 7-3 and has won five of his last six decisions.

"(Escobar) wasn't sharp early, which got his pitch count up," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He was a little off, but he kept us in the game and gave us a chance to win."

The Indians opened the scoring in the third on back-to-back doubles by Kenny Lofton and Kelly Shoppach.

The Angels answered back with a run of their own in the bottom half when Gary Matthews Jr. singled to score rookie speedster Reggie Willits, who had doubled.

After Cleveland jumped out to a 3-1 advantage with a pair of runs in the fifth, Anaheim broke out with a four-run bottom half. Anderson and Kendry Morales each singled in runs to tie the score before Kotchman's two-run double put the Angles on top for good.

"We didn't play very well tonight in all areas of the game," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "When you can't play good against a team like Anaheim you will get your butts kicked, and they did that to us tonight."

Indians starter Paul Byrd (14-6) lasted 4 2/3 innings, surrendering five runs and eight hits while walking one and striking out five. Byrd, who spent a year with Anaheim in 2005, is now 3-1 in seven starts against his former team.

"I felt good early on," Byrd said. "I ended up leaving a lot of pitches up in the zone and you just can't do that against a lineup like the Angels. We just have to put this game behind us and come out ready to play tomorrow."