NOTHING NEW FOR ESCOBAR ANGELS SHUT OUT FOR THE FIFTH TIME WHEN HE STARTS TEXAS 2, ANGELS 0.

Byline: Rich Hammond Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - Kelvim Escobar turned in a marvelous effort Saturday afternoon, the type of late September outing that can justify a big contract and greatly enhance a pitcher's reputation as a big-game performer.

So how did the Angels' hitters respond to Escobar's huge game? By getting shut down by guys such as Joaquin Benoit, Erasmo Ramirez and Brian Shouse, all of whom apparently are major-league pitchers.

The Angels flailed away against an uninspiring corps of seven Texas pitchers that combined for a six-hit shutout as the Rangers beat the Angels 2-0 in front of 41,233 at Angel Stadium.

Escobar allowed one run and three hits in eight innings but received no support, one day after the Angels battered Rangers pitching for nine runs. The loss, coupled with Oakland's victory over Seattle, dropped the Angels two games behind the first-place Athletics in the American League West.

``If (Escobar) was getting support, if we were scoring the number of runs we should behind him, this guy would be in the Cy Young (Award) running,'' manager Mike Scioscia said. ``He's having a great year, and he's so positive in everything he does, even when he's going out in these circumstances.'' Escobar (10-11) left the clubhouse without speaking to reporters, and if it was out of frustration, that's understandable. Saturday marked the ninth time this season that Escobar allowed two or fewer earned runs in a start but didn't receive a victory. The Angels have been shut out in five of Escobar's 30 starts.

The only Rangers who hurt Escobar were No. 8 hitter Laynce Nix, who singled with one out in the third, and Rod Barajas, who followed with a double down the left-field line to score Nix. Other than those hits, Escobar allowed only an eighth-inning double to Nix and two walks. He struck out seven.

``Against the caliber of offensive clubs he was going against, this has to be up there among his top games of the year,'' Scioscia said. ``You can't ask for much more. He didn't make that many mistakes. He pitched a terrific ballgame, and they needed seven guys to match what he did, but they did.''

Texas added a run in the ninth off Scot Shields when pinch hitter Gary Matthews Jr. (Granada Hills High) singled home Michael Young. That was enough for the Rangers as Francisco Cordero pitched the final two innings for his 45th save.

That part was common, unlike the first seven innings, when the Rangers virtually wore a path from the bullpen to the mound. It started a couple of hours before the game, when scheduled starter Juan Dominguez had to be scratched with a sore right knee, and Benoit took his place.

Benoit allowed two hits in four innings, walked three and struck out six, far exceeding any expectations, so manager Buck Showalter pulled him after a leadoff walk in the fifth.

Then came Ramirez (5-3), who pitched 1 1/3 innings, Jeff Nelson (one inning), Ron Mahay (one out), Doug Brocail (no outs), Shouse (one out) and Cordero, a dizzying collection of pitching that kept the Angels in check.

It didn't help the Angels that Garret Anderson missed his second consecutive game with a sore knee.

Rich Hammond, [phone]

rich.hammond(at)dailynews.com

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KELVIM ESCOBAR

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GAME RECAP