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Lackey takes shutout into ninth as Angels move closer to clinching

Sep 19, 2007 - 6:00 AM By Chris Padula PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim moved closer to their third American League West crown in four years behind the arm of Cy Young candidate John Lackey.

Lackey pitched eight-plus dominant innings as the Angels posted a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Tuesday.

Garret Anderson kept up his torrid hitting for the Angels (89-62), who reduced their magic number to four for clinching the division title.

"We couldn't have gained breathing room in the standings without the way Garret has been swinging the bat," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

Lackey (17-9), who has won 14 games twice before, added to his career-best win total by improving to 8-1 in 10 career starts vs. Tampa Bay. The righthander yielded just a run, five hits and two walks while striking out 10 in coming within three outs of his third shutout of the season.

"(I) felt strong and my pitch selection tonight was better than it has been in a while," Lackey said. "I just know that I am aggressive when I face these guys and try to work ahead in the count."

The righthander left after allowing a leadoff double in the ninth to B.J. Upton, and closer Francisco Rodriguez yielded an RBI single to Jorge Velandia before notching his 36th save.

"I felt like I could have finished the game, but Franky came in and did a great job getting them out," Lackey said.

Lackey spoiled a fine outing by Tampa Bay starter Jason Hammel (2-5), who yielded two runs and seven hits in six frames.

"I knew coming into this game that I had to pitch a good game with the way they (Angels) have been hitting lately," Hammel said. "Lackey is one of the games toughest pitchers and I thought I pitched good enough to keep us in the game."

The Angels took advantage of an error in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Leadoff man Chone Figgins singled, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Devil Rays catcher Dioner Navarro before scoring on a wild pitch.

"I coached those guys for years and that's one thing that they can do when you give them extra outs," Devil Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "They will capitalize most of the time and they did tonight."

The Angels added an insurance run in the sixth inning, when Anderson doubled to right and scored after a pair of groundouts.

"Howie (Kendrick) beat out the double play ball for another run which ended up being enough for us to get the win," Scioscia said.

Anderson is batting .437 (35-for-80) over his last 21 games and leads the majors since the All-Star break with 62 RBI in the 61 games.