Los Angelos Angels Of Anaheim @ Los Angelos Dodgers

The Angels aim for the sweep against the Dodgers to win the battle for Los Angelos once and for all! The Dodgers send Boston's postseason hero Derek Lowe (3.07 ERA) to the mound against Paul Byrd (4.15 ERA). Compared to yesterday, the Angels field an offensive juggernaut thanks to the return of Garret Anderson, the Halos' only .300+ hitter. Ex-Dodger Finley isn't in the lineup today.

The Game
- The first inning starts in typical Angels fashion. Figgins bunts for a hit, steals second, goes to third on Kennedy's single, stays there as Kennedy is caught stealing and scores on a ground out by Erstad. 1-0 Angels
- Byrd starts well with a 1-2-3 inning.
Juan Rivera makes a case for himself as the future DH as he leads off the second inning with a homerun. 2-0 Angels
- Paul Byrd was one strike away from another 1-2-3 inning, but then he Ledee hits a 2-2 pitch over the right field wall. 2-1 Angels
- A two-out-double from Erstad is wasted as the Halos fail to score in an inning for the first time today in the 3rd. :)
-Perez works a work and comes home on a two-out-bloop-single by Drew. 2-2

Meanwhile, Matt Clement finishes the 9th inning of his complete game, 4 hit, 110 pitch, 5-2 victory. Good job Mr. Goatee!

- Rivera singles up the middle, but cannot advance as Josh Paul strikes out on a check swing (!) as Rivera steals second.
- Byrd walks Bradley but then picks him off at first. Ledee pops up, but Cabrera looses the ball in the sun for a double. But Byrd retires Philips on a fly out to Figgins in center.
- Figgins singles with one out, but Kennedy grounds into a double play to end the first half of the game.
- Perez leads of the bottom of the inning with a double, goes to third on a bunt from Lowe and scores on a single by Izturis. 3-2 Dodgers
- The Angels start the inning with two singles by Erstad and Anderson, but neither Rivera nor McPherson nor Cabrera can score or advance them.
- Byrd works a quick 1-2-3 inning and keeps the Angels close.
- The Angels send pinchhitters to the plate in Pride and Finley, but both strike out. Figgins flies to center for an easy inning for Derek Lowe.
- Kevin Gregg comes in and immediately gives up a homer Philips (TO PHILIPS!!!). After he gets Perez to fly out, he allows two singles and leaves the game and hopefully the Angels major league club for good. Jake Woods comes in and gives up a run scoring single to J.D. Drew. Choi lines to Rivera, who catches it from his knees and makes an offline throw to first, prompting Erstad to dive for it. Woods then strikes out Kent to end the inning. 5-2 Dodgers
Kevin Gregg now owns a comical 7.77 ERA. I hope I never have to see him pitch again for the Angels.
- Yhency Brazoban (Nice name!) relieves Lowe and makes quick work of the Halos 1-2-3.
- Jake Woods is back on the mound. He allows single to Bradley, gets Ledee to fly out and then has to watch as McPherson's high throw allows Philips to reach first. Another single by Robles with two outs gives Woods an unearned run. 6-2 Dodgers
- Eric Gagne comes into the game although it's not a save situation. But it doesn't really bother him, so 1-2-3 the game is over. Final score: Dodgers - Angels 6-2

Conclusion & Notes
The Angels went hitless in their last 12 at-bats and one cannot overlook the fact that they only scored 5 runs in the last two games. The nine runs in the first game were against a starter who hasn't had an ERA under 5 since 1999 and in the 9th inning of 4-0 ballgame.
Orlando Cabrera still can't hit even if he faces familar NL pitching as he went 1-15.
At least, Figgins is getting better again. He went 5-12 with 4 RBI, 3R and 3SB.
The pitching is still strong, Washburn (7IP, 5H, 0R) and Lackey (6.1IP, 5H, 1ER, 10K) are really getting it done and even Byrd delivered a quality start (6IP, 5H, 3R). And all Angels reliever not named Gregg didn't allow an earned run in 6.1 IP.

The Halos win the Freeway Series 2-1 and are now LA's official Nr.1 team. But with Guerrero on the DL, you can hardly call with weekend a success for the Angels. Let's hope he returns quickly and does not require surgery.