Jeff Mathis sparks Angels to 2-1 win over Texas Rangers
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Jeff Mathis drove in what proved to be the winning run on a suicide squeeze and threw out two would-be basestealers Tuesday, helping the Angels to a 2-1 win over the Texas Rangers in a Cactus League exhibition at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
A day after scoring 13 times, the Angels had to scratch for their offense against the Rangers, managing just four hits. But a gutty performance by the bullpen made that stand up with Scott Downs, Hisanori Takahaski, Garrett Richards and Bobby Cassevah giving up eight hits but keeping Texas off the scoreboard until there was two outs in the ninth.
Starter Ervin Santana allowed just a hit and two walks in three shutout innings.
The Angels got their first run in the sixth when Maicer Izturis drove home speedy Peter Bourjos from first with a double to right. They made it 2-0 an inning later when Mark Trumbo singled, took second on an error, moved to third on a groundout and then scored on Mathis’ squeeze bunt. Mathis also threw out Matt Kata trying to steal second in the seventh inning and Leury Garcia trying to steal second in the eighth inning.
-- Kevin Baxter in Tempe, Ariz.