ANGELS WIN, COULD LOSE ERSTAD HALTER'S PINCH SLAM, COLON'S GAME DAMPENED BY YET ANOTHER INJURY ANGELS 7, TAMPA BAY 2.Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer ANAHEIM - Rounding third and headed for home, Darin Erstad Darin Charles Erstad (born June 4, 1974 in Jamestown, North Dakota) is a first baseman/center fielder in Major League Baseball currently with the Chicago White Sox. Prior to 2007, he had played his entire career with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim franchise (1996-2006). seemingly was about to give the Angels a lead. Instead, Erstad became the club's latest casualty. Erstad tried to score from second base on Troy Glaus' two-out single in the third inning Saturday night, but after hitting third base, Erstad's right hamstring gave out. He continued to run, his right leg stiff, before being tagged out at home after an awkward slide. Erstad grimaced grim·ace n. A sharp contortion of the face expressive of pain, contempt, or disgust. intr.v. grim·aced, grim·ac·ing, grim·ac·es To make a sharp contortion of the face. as he clutched the back of his right leg. The initial diagnosis was a strained hamstring. He'll be re-evaluated in the coming days. The Angels went on to a 7-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are a professional baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida, Florida. The Devil Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Devil Rays have played in Tropicana Field. in front of a sellout crowd of 43,465 at Angel Stadium, thanks to Shane Halter's pinch-hit grand slam grand slam n. 1. The winning of all the tricks during the play of one hand in bridge and other whist-derived card games. 2. Sports The winning of all the major or specified events, especially on a professional circuit. in the seventh inning and a solid outing from starting pitcher Noun 1. starting pitcher - (baseball) a pitcher who starts in a baseball game baseball, baseball game - a ball game played with a bat and ball between two teams of nine players; teams take turns at bat trying to score runs; "he played baseball in high school"; Bartolo Colon (7 innings, 2 runs, 2 hits). The victory was the Angels' eighth in a row, their longest winning streak Noun 1. winning streak - a streak of wins streak, run - an unbroken series of events; "had a streak of bad luck"; "Nicklaus had a run of birdies" since a 10-game streak Aug. 29-Sept. 8, 2002. It also is the 10th winning streak at eight games or longer in club history. But any elation elation /ela·tion/ (e-la´shun) emotional excitement marked by acceleration of mental and bodily activity, with extreme joy and an overly optimistic attitude. associated with the streak and having the best record in the majors (21-10) was tempered by Erstad's injury. The club already has Garret Anderson Garret Joseph Anderson (born June 30, 1972 in Los Angeles, California) is a Major League Baseball left fielder who has played his entire career for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. (back) and Tim Salmon ``It looks pretty bad,'' Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. ``When Ersty goes down like that, it's something serious. He's such a gamer, it breaks your heart to see something like that.'' Erstad's injury was to the same hamstring that put him on the disabled list twice last season and limited him to 67 games, a career low. But Scioscia said Saturday's injury was in a different area of the hamstring. Last year's injury was diagnosed as hamstring tendinitis, and Erstad was given the option to have offseason surgery. Instead, Erstad opted for non-surgical rehabilitation, and it seemed to be the right decision. Erstad had played in every game this season before Friday, when he was given a day to rest. Unfortunately for the Angels, it seems Erstad will get plenty of time off now. ``It was weird, it was strange,'' Angels shortstop David Eckstein said of Erstad's injury. ``He's been feeling so good. For that to happen, the way he reacted, it was shocking. You knew he was in pain.'' Erstad probably will be placed on the disabled list today, but how long he remains out will play a role in who his replacement will be. On Friday and again Saturday, his replacement was Robb Quinlan. Even before Erstad's injury, the third inning had plenty of action. With Erstad at first and two outs, Devil Rays pitcher Paul Abbott hit Vladimir Guerrero with a pitch on the back of his left shoulder. Perturbed per·turb tr.v. per·turbed, per·turb·ing, per·turbs 1. To disturb greatly; make uneasy or anxious. 2. To throw into great confusion. 3. because Abbott had come in high and tight in his previous at-bat, Guerrero yelled something to Abbott and home-plate umpire Eric Cooper got between the two. Then in the top of the fourth, Colon's first pitch of the inning - a 94-mph fastball - hit Tino Martinez in the back. Both benches were warned that any more similar incidents would result in ejections, and that brought Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella out of the dugout to argue. Joe Haakenson, (626) 962-8811 joe.haakenson(at)sgvn.com CAPTION(S): box Box: GAME RECAP |
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