Torii Hunter's tie-breaking RBI double keyed a three-run eighth-inning rally, leading the Angels to a 4-1 win over the Oakland Athletics Monday night in Anaheim. Jeff Mathis also delivered a two-run single in the eighth, which broke open a pitchers' duel. Both Jered Weaver and Josh Outman pitched seven strong innings.
The Angels scored one run in the first inning on an RBI single by Bobby Abreu, scoring Maicer Izturis. Oakland tied it up with a sacrifice fly from Hideki Matsui in the third inning, scoring Coco Crisp. Weaver allowed just one run in seven innings, walking three and striking out five. He took a no-decision for the first time in 11 starts this season.
Outman was making his first major league appearance since June 2009, having recovered from Tommy John surgery. Outman also allowed one run in seven innings, walking three and striking out two.Crisp had two hits, including a double, and a walk, for the A's.
Jordan Walden pitched a perfect ninth inning for his ninth save of the season for the Angels. Hunter and Mathis each had two hits for the Angels. Dan Haren gets the call for the Angels on Tuesday night in the second game of the series, against Guillermo Moscoso, who will be making his first major league start for the A's.
For more news and information on the Angels, or on tonight's game, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Halos Heaven.