Sep 16, 2007, 2:59 GMT
Chicago, IL - Jered Weaver scattered four hits and one run over six innings and Reggie Willits knocked in the go-ahead run as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim edged the Chicago White Sox, 2-1, in the second of three between the teams at U.S. Cellular Field.
Weaver (12-7) compiled eight strikeouts with just one walk to win for the fourth time in his last five starts. The young right-hander also surpassed his rookie win total of 11 from a year ago. Francisco Rodriguez hurled a scoreless ninth to earn his 35th save.
Vladimir Guerrero knocked in the other run for the Angels, who snapped a two- game losing skid and reduced their magic number of clinching the AL West title to seven with a Mariners loss to Tampa late Saturday. Chone Figgins and Orlando Cabrera each had a pair of hits.
White Sox starter Jon Garland (9-12) allowed nine hits and two runs over seven full innings, fanning five and walking two in dropping his second straight start.
Jerry Owens was 3-for-4 and drove in the only run for the White Sox, who have lost for the fourth time in six contests. Jim Thome, who entered the game with 499 career home runs, finished 0-for-3 with a walk and a pair of strikeouts.
Willits' single in the fourth put the Halos up 2-1, and proved to be the winning score. Howie Kendrick reached on an Andy Gonzalez throwing error, and went to third on a Jeff Mathis groundout. Kendrick then scored when Willits dumped a base hit into center.
With one out in the eighth, Owens reached on a dribbler up the first-base line, eluding a tag by LA first-baseman Casey Kotchman to reach first. After Scott Podsednik struck out, Owens was caught napping and was picked off first by Mathis on a snap throw to end the inning.
Rodriguez fanned Thome looking to begin the ninth, and forced Paul Konerko into a popout to short but Jermaine Dye singled up the middle to keep the inning alive. Pinch-runner Luis Terrero stole second with A.J. Pierzynski at the dish, but the Sox catcher struck out swinging to end the game.
Each team exchanged runs in the third. The Angels took a 1-0 lead on Guerrero's RBI single, and the Sox responded to tie on Owens' run-scoring single.
Game Notes
The season series is tied, 4-4...Angels outfielder Gary Matthews, Jr. missed his fourth straight game with a sprained right ankle...Thome is also stuck on 21 career homers against the Angels...Attendance was 36,485.
© 2007 The Sports Network
Game Notes.
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