Major League Baseball

Angels erupt in 11th to cap comeback

Published Aug. 1, 2009 6:29 a.m. ET

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The Los Angeles Angels have come up with a pretty successful formula as of late: fall behind, rally, win.

Friday night wasn't any different for the AL West leaders.

This time, Los Angeles, after tying the game in the eighth, scored six runs in the top of the 11th inning and recorded their major league-leading 34th comeback victory, 11-5 over the Minnesota Twins.

The Angels, who have come from behind in 13 of their past 18 victories, had six hits and two walks against three Minnesota relievers before making an out in the 11th.


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As a result, the Angels improved to 12-3 since the All-Star break and they completed July with a 19-7 record, averaging 7.1 runs per game.

"It shows the amount of heart we have on this team, even with some of our bigger guys out," said Howie Kendrick, whose pinch-hit RBI single started the Angels' scoring in the 11th. "We've got a lot of guys who can play the game and the way we play the game is aggressive and a lot of first-to-third. It seems like it's been a different guy every game to give us that extra opportunity to win the game."

Kevin Jepsen (3-2) pitched two innings of perfect relief for the Angels, striking out Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Micheal Cuddyer.

"I can't say enough about the job he did," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He went through the heart of their lineup.

"Our bullpen kept us in the game and gave us a chance. They gave us five innings of relief and put up five zeros."

When the Angels got to the 11th - and past Minnesota closer Joe Nathan - they certainly took advantage.

Bobby Keppel (0-1) walked Erick Aybar on four pitches to open the 11th. With Aybar running on the pitch, Gary Matthews Jr. hit a broken-bat single to shallow left field to put runners on first and third.

"My first four pitches where nowhere near the strike zone ... a leadoff walk like that, you're asking for a bad inning," Keppel said.

Kendrick hit a ground ball to shortstop Brendan Harris. Attempting to throw home, Harris stumbled and Aybar was able to score. Harris tried to get Kendrick at first, but he beat the throw for an RBI single.

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