Gary Matthews steals home in fourth inning against D-Backs

PHOENIX -- Gary Matthews Jr., hit a three-run double in the fourth inning today and then pulled off what is considered one of the most exciting plays in baseball -- an outright steal of home.

Matthews, starting in place of Torii Hunter in center field, slapped a full-count pitch to left field with the bases loaded and two outs for a double and took third when third baseman Augie Ojeda's throw home hit Kendry Morales in the back and rolled toward the backstop.

With Arizona pitcher Max Scherzer going out of a full windup, Matthews took off on a 2-and-1 pitch to Erick Aybar. The pitch was high and away, and Matthews eluded catcher Miguel Montero's tag by sliding to the front of the plate, giving the Angels a 4-2 lead.

It was the first outright steal of home by an Angel since Orlando Cabrera did it against Dodgers right-hander Chad Billingsley in Anaheim on July 2, 2006, and the third time a player has stolen home against the Diamondbacks.

It was also the second time Matthews has stolen home in his career. His first was when he scored the first run of his career in 1999.

-- Mike DiGiovanna

Photo: Gary Matthews Jr. steals home ahead of a tag by Arizona catcher Miguel Montero in the fourth inning Aas ngels teammate Erick Aybar helps out with the call. Credit: Ross D. Franklin/AP