IZZY MAKES IT LOOK EASY FOR THE ANGELS SLAM HIGHLIGHTS VICTORY VS. TWINS.

Byline: DOUG PADILLA 

Staff Writer

ANAHEIM -- The Angels looked into a mirror Friday and did not crack.

Playing a Minnesota Twins team that resembles them in form and function, the Angels went out of their element to make things happen in a 10-1 victory.

Both teams play solid defense, yet it was not glove work that made the difference. Both teams run the bases well, yet nobody flashed their speed to decide this one. And the Angels certainly didn't want to have to deal with the back end of a bullpen that is as accomplished as theirs.

Instead, the Angels went off the board and used a grand slam from Maicer Izturis to widen the gap against the scoring-challenged Twins, and then cruise to victory. The home run started an Angels scoring frenzy that broke open what had been a tight game.

"It's my approach more than anything because I have been telling myself to get more extension, especially on the inside pitches and to hit them hard," said Izturis, who claims he rarely hits home runs in batting practice. "Now that I'm playing every day, I get the chance to risk a little more by telling myself to hit it harder and pull the ball in certain situations."

The Angels entered 13th in the American League in home runs but have been flexing their muscles of late.

After a stretch of just four home runs in 22 games, the Angels have hit 13 in their past 10 games.

With the Angels sitting on a 2-1 lead in the sixth inning, Izturis pumped a high fastball from Twins starter Scott Baker into the seats in right field. It was the Angels' first grand slam from a second baseman since Alfredo Amezaga cranked one three years ago.

Baker was locked in a pitchers' duel with Kelvim Escobar until things got away from the Twins in a hurry. Garret Anderson placed a soft single into center with one out in the sixth inning, which was followed by an equally soft hit from Gary Matthews Jr. that also landed in short center.

When Casey Kotchman walked to load the bases, it brought up Izturis, who hit a home run Monday to beat Curt Schilling and the Boston Red Sox. Izturis flashed more power against Baker (6-5), collecting his fourth home run of the season and the fourth grand slam for the Angels.

With Howie Kendrick out since July 9 because of a fractured left index finger, Izturis has proved invaluable.

"Izzy has hit some big ones for us and tonight's was big and we're going to take it, but it's not the focal point of our offense," manager Mike Scioscia said. "We do have some guys who can drive the ball but we have to keep creating and take the home runs when they come."

The Angels went on top 2-0 in the third inning, scoring on a single from Orlando Cabrera and a double-play grounder from Vladimir Guerrero.

It seemed like it would be plenty for Escobar until the right-hander started laboring with two outs in the top of the sixth. He gave up two walks and two singles with two outs but only allowed a run.

Even though he held the Twins down for six innings, Escobar (12-6) was far from sharp. He gave up five hits and also walked five (one intentional) with four strikeouts. He had been stuck on 11 victories since July 19 because of a lack of run support and watched as the Angels scored eight times in this one after he had thrown his last pitch.

"It doesn't matter to me," Escobar said. "I know my last game I pitched well and didn't get support but it happens. I never complain about it because I know those guys are trying their best every game."

His effort was plenty this time as the Twins are trying to break out of an offensive funk that was similar to what the Angels experienced through the first three weeks of July.

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Angels (Lackey 14-6, 3.11) vs. Minnesota (Silva 9-12, 4.51), 6:05p.m.,

Angel Stadium. TV: FSN West.

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(Also ran in Valley edition) The Angels' Maicer Izturis follows through on a grand slam during the sixth inning Friday.

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press