Dan Haren, Mark Trumbo shine as Los Angeles Angels defeat Minnesota Twins 7-1 – MLB Update
The Los Angeles Angels’ starter Dan Haren and Mark Trumbo helped their club crush the Minnesota Twins 7-1 in the three-game series finale at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Thursday, August 4 to clinch the series 2-1.
Haren held the opposing batters scoreless until the eighth inning, when the Twins’ designated hitter Jim Thome launched a one-run homer. The right-handed gritty pitcher struck-out six batters and allowed only five hits over eight innings to get his twelfth
win of the season.
Although Thome has played his part against Haren, he still could not stop him from praising Haren.
"What made Haren special tonight is what's made him special for a long time. He attacks the strike zone," Thome said. "He's got a good cutter and his ball moves really late. Fortunately, I got a ball out over the plate that I could handle. But up to that
point, he was pitching me really tough. "
The right-hand hurler had not allowed three or more than three runs in fifteen games of his last 24 starts this season, getting 8-1 in those games.
Peter Bourjos, who added an RBI single in the bottom of the second inning, led off the Angels’ game and Jeff Mathis reached on infield single to second, allowing Peter Bourjos to score second run. Mark Trumbo launched a dazzling 418-feet long three-run homer
in the bottom of the third to take the lead to 5-0. Maicer Izturis added an RBI single in the fourth and Trumbo added another RBI run to elevate the lead to 7-0.
"I didn't know what to imagine going into the season," Trumbo said. "I didn't know if I'd be playing up here at all. I could have very easily been in Triple-A Salt Lake if things had gone differently. So I'm just fortunate to get the opportunities I've had."
Twins starter Francisco Liriano allowed seven runs, ten hits and two walks over five innings. He also made five strike-outs but his allowed runs sent him to ninth loss in the 2011 regular season. He went to 7-9 with 5.03 ERA in 20 starts. Phil Dumatrait,
Jose Mijares and Joe Nathan made a perfect rebound for their team. Each of them remained scoreless over their single innings.
Angels’ closer Scott Downs also tossed a perfect ninth inning to cement their 61st game in 2011 regular season. The club will now host the Seattle Mariners for three-game series followed by a tough tour to New York Yankees from August 9 to 11.
The Twins on the other hand will take on the wounded Chicago White Sox, who have lost all four games against the New York Yankees.
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