ANGELS LOOK RIGHT AT HOME IN WIN FINISH FREEWAY SERIES WITH WIN OVER DODGERS ANGELS 4, DODGERS 2.Byline: BEN VILLA Staff Writer ANAHEIM -- After July 1 last season, the Angels had the best record in baseball. Saturday night, they returned home to Anaheim for the first time this year looking very much like the same team. The Angels concluded spring training by beating the Dodgers 4-2 to win the rubber game of the annual Freeway Series The term Freeway Series refers to a series of baseball games played between Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of the American League and the Los Angeles Dodgers of the National League. in front of 43,777 at Angel Stadium. Joe Saunders Joseph Francis "Joe" Saunders (born June 16, 1981 in Falls Church, Virginia) is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Saunders played college baseball at Virginia Tech, where he compiled a 27-7 career record. started and went the first four innings, allowing two runs to earn the win and Gary Matthews
For the son, see Gary Matthews Jr. The Angels ended the spring 19-14 and will hold a workout today before they host the Texas Rangers Texas Rangers, mounted fighting force organized (1835) during the Texas Revolution. During the republic they became established as the guardians of the Texas frontier, particularly against Native Americans. in their opener Monday night. The Dodgers, on the other hand finished 17-16 and fly to Milwaukee, where they will open the season Monday. "We're excited to start the season," Angels catcher Mike Napoli Michael Anthony "Mike" Napoli (b. October 31, 1981 in Hollywood, Florida) is a Major League Baseball catcher with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Napoli attended Charles Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines, Florida. said. "There's a good feel to the clubhouse and we're all nice and loose. We brought in some new guys this year to help us out and everybody can't wait until Monday." About the only real excitement coming from Saturday night's game was who the Angels would carry on their Opening Day roster. Chris Bootcheck Christopher Brandon ("Chris") Bootcheck (b. October 24, 1978 in LaPorte, Indiana) is a pitcher splitting time between the minor leagues and Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He made his Major League debut with the then-Anaheim Angels on September 9, 2003. beat out Chris Resop Christopher Paul Resop (born November 4, 1982, in Naples, Florida) is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels. Resop graduated from Barron G. Collier High School in 2001. for the final spot in the bullpen and Angel prospect Erick Aybar Erick Johan Aybar (born January 14, 1984 in Baní, Dominican Republic) He is a Major League Baseball shortstop with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He has also previously played in the Dominican Republic. made the team as a utility infielder A utility infielder is a baseball player, usually someone who does not have a regular starting role on the team, who is capable of playing more than one of the four defensive infield positions: second base, third base, shortstop, and less typically first base. . Kendry Morales Kendrys Morales Rodriguez (born June 20, 1983 in Fomento, Cuba) is a Major League Baseball player in his rookie season as a first baseman for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He is a switch hitter and throws right-handed. , Jeff Mathis Jeffrey Stephen "Jeff" Mathis (born March 31, 1983 in Marianna, Florida, USA) is a major league baseball catcher playing with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and made his Major League debut on August 12, 2005 with them. He bats and throws right handed. , Resop and Nick Gorneault, who was also battling for a final outfield position that went to Tommy Murphy and Reggie Willits, were optioned to triple-A Salt Lake. Bartolo Colon, Chone Figgins, Dallas McPherson, Juan Rivera and Jered Weaver will all start the season on the disabled list. Alex Serrano, Matt Wilhite and Curtis Pride were reassigned to minor-league camp. "Erick Aybar played well enough to make the team and Reggie Willits provides coverage in the outfield," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "And one of the final outfield spots came down to Tommy, Nick and Curtis but we felt that Tommy provides us with speed and he can play center field. "As for Chris Bootcheck, he's thrown the ball as well as we've ever seen him and he gives us length in the bullpen. He's pitched several times this week and he's pitched well. He's earned it and we have a lot of depth on our roster." The Dodgers got on the scoreboard early after they scored two runs in the top of the first inning off Saunders. With one out, James Loney, Matt Kemp and Wilson Betemit all singled to load the bases for Marlon Anderson, who drove in the Dodgers' first run on a ground out to second base. Wilson Valdez then followed with a RBI RBI abbr. Baseball runs batted in Noun 1. rbi - a run that is the result of the batter's performance; "he had more than 100 rbi last season" run batted in single scoring Kemp. The Angels took the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth, when they touched Dodgers starter Brad Penny for three runs. Maicer Izturis reached base on an infield single to drive in Casey Kotchman with the Angels' first run and Napoli followed by hitting a towering flyball to Dodgers second baseman Tony Abreu. Abreu appeared to be camped under it, but the ball went off his glove and into right field, allowing Howie Kendrick to score the Angels' second run. Izturis later scored the third run of the inning on a RBI groundout by Murphy, pinch-hitting for Matthews Jr. With two out in the seventh inning, Robb Quinlan doubled to right-center field after Dodgers reliever Brett Tomko got the first two men out. Quinlan then went to third base on a wild pitch and he came around to score moments later on a wild pitch to give the Angels a 4-2 lead. Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez pitched the ninth inning and retired the side in order to pick up the save, striking out two of the three batters he faced. "We're all glad the spring is over with and it's time to go," Dodgers manager Grady Little said. "We got a good ball club that's in good condition. We're confident about the season and we're ready." ben.villa@presstelegram.com (562) 499-1338 CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- color) Newly acquired Dodgers outfielder Brady Clark makes a diving catch on a ball hit by the Angels' Orlando Cabrera in the third inning Saturday. (2) The Angels' Gary Matthews bobbles a base hit by the Dodgers' Wilson Valdez as a run scores in the first inning. Keith Birmingham/Staff Photographer |
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