OWN VERSION OF MONEYBALL ANGELS' PRICEY TALENT SHOWS WORTH IN WIN OVER MARINERS.Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer ANAHEIM - Arte Moreno can write big checks to procure talent. And he can sketch out a business plan to ensure his Angels franchise enjoys long-term financial viability. And he most certainly can stroll the concourses of Angel Stadium to ensure his fans are enjoying a first-class guest experience. But Moreno, the quickly-beloved owner of the Angels, actually can't script out what happens to his $108 million club once the lights go on and the games begin. If he could, the script might read a bit like his club's home opener Tuesday night. Vladimir Guerrero Vladimir Alvino Guerrero (born February 9, 1976 in Don Gregorio, Nizao, Dominican Republic), and known in his native Dominican Republic as Miquéas (Spanish for Micah), is a Major League Baseball right fielder who plays for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. , his top offseason capital investment, crushed a two-run home run, as did catcher Bengie Molina Benjamin José ("Bengie" or "Ben") Molina (born July 20 1974 in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico) is the starting catcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. After being initially regarded as a "good glove, no hit" catcher, Molina has developed into one of the better in his season debut. 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. , signed earlier Tuesday to a four-year contract extension, keyed the game-winning rally with a sparkling bit of situational hitting. And Jose Guillen, another newcomer, capped a climb back from a four- run deficit with a two-run double in the seventh inning, leading the Angels to a 7-5 victory in front of a crowd of 43,443. On a night Moreno threw out the first pitch, to the adoring roars of his fans, it appeared his club's first home game would end in disappointment. The Mariners, getting a second look in six days at Kelvim Escobar Kelvim Jose Escobar Bolivar [ess-coe-BAR] (born April 11, 1976 in La Guaira, Venezuela) is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who currently plays for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2004-present). He bats and throws right handed. , rolled up a 4-0 lead after four innings. That merely was an opportunity for the new-look Angels to flex their muscles by scoring seven runs in a three-inning span. Guerrero broke up Joel Pineiro's shutout by ripping a hanging breaking ball into the left-center-field bleachers in the fifth inning for a 4-2 deficit. Molina, dogged by a left hamstring strain that took him out of the club's first seven games, tied it with a two-run homer an inning later. The winning rally was driven by Angels old and new. 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). led off the seventh with a single and Guerrero followed by taking two massive cuts against reliever Rafael Soriano Rafael Soriano (born December 19, 1979 in San José, Dominican Republic) is a Major League Baseball Pitcher for the Atlanta Braves. He made his Major League debut on May 5, 2002. He bats and throws right. . Undaunted by the two quick strikes, he took another big swing and made contact, rolling the ball between third and shortstop to put two runners on. On came Anderson, and out came Seattle manager Bob Melvin Robert Paul Melvin (born October 28, 1961, in Palo Alto, California) is a former Major League Baseball catcher and the current manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Baseball career to summon left-hander Mike Myers Mike Myers may refer to:
This time, he was asked to pull the ball and move the runners to third. Again, he was successful. Myers and Anderson battled through an eight-pitch at-bat, but the Angels' new $48 million man eventually lifted a ball to right field for a flyout that advanced Erstad, the go-ahead run, to third. Guillen made plenty sure he came home, greeting Julio Mateo Julio Cesar Mateo (born August 2,1977 in Baní, Dominican Republic) is a Major League Baseball Pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. The 6’ tall 220lb Julio Mateo bats and throws with his right hand. with a line drive into the left field corner for a two-run double, giving the Angels a 6-4 lead. He advanced to third on the play and scored on Tim Salmon's groundout for a 7-4 lead. The rally made a winner of Scot Shields Scot Shields (b. July 22, 1975, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida) is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, with whom he has spent his entire career, serving as their setup man since 2005. (2-0), who was followed by Francisco Rodriguez Francisco Rodriguez may refer to:
The rally picked up starter Escobar, who started shaky but finished strong; he has yet to record a decision, but the Angels are 2-0 in his starts. Escobar was hit hard early, yielding three first-inning hits, including a two-run home run from Edgar Martinez. He gave up six hits in the third and fourth inning but just two runs, thanks to a nice outfield assist from Salmon, who threw out Dan Wilson at third base to minimize the damage in the fourth. Gabe Lacques, (626) 962-8811 gabe.lacques(at)sgvn.com CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: The Angels' Garret Anderson, who got a four-year contract extension before the game, set off the game-winning rally Tuesday in the home opener. Chris Carlson/Associated Press Box: GAME RECAP |
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