Angels left out in loss

Ortiz hits winner on shifted infield

DOUG PADILLA, Staff writer 
Inside SOCAL

BOSTON - Not even Jered Weaver's magic could help in this one as long after the undefeated rookie was gone, the Angels shifted themselves right into losing mode Saturday with a gimmick defense.

It didn't matter where the Angels played David Ortiz since he collected four hits in the Boston Red Sox's 7-6 victory, but the winning hit rolled through the abandoned left side of the infield.

With shortstop Orlando Cabrera playing Ortiz on the second-base side of the bag in the 11th inning, Ortiz punched a ball right at his vacated position against reliever J.C. Romero. Alex Gonzalez, who singled off Hector Carrasco and advanced on a single by Kevin Youkilis, scored from secondbase.

It was classic Ortiz, who thrives in clutch situations. He put his one-man show on display against the Angels with four RBIs, and had a game-ending hit for the 14th time in his career, 11th time with the Red Sox and fourththis season.

“I'm not second-guessing anything that went on on that field,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “We'll always analyze things and look at any adjustments that need to be made but I know that (coach) Alfredo (Griffin) has those guys where the percentages are. It was one thing where he was obviously shooting for that hole, he poked it through and got it done.”

It was the first time in Weaver's career that the right-hander from Simi Valley started yet did not leave the ballpark with a victory, although the no-decision still leaves him 7-0.

Afterward, he was ready to start a new streak.

“I'm not looking to set any records,” Weaver said. “I'm just trying to go out there and win games and was doing that for seven.

“The chips fell a little short, but I have to get over it and jump back on the mound and get it done next time.”

Weaver did leave with the lead in the seventh inning, but both Scot Shields and Francisco Rodriguez proved unreliable.

After Shields got out of the seventh inning, he gave up a home run to Ortiz to start the eighth. That cut the Angels' lead to 6-4. When Mike Lowell stepped to the plate later in the inning with one out and runners on second and third, Scioscia went to Rodriguez for what would have been a grueling five-out save.

Lowell blooped a double down the right-field line to tie the score at 6-6. It was the third blown save of the season for Rodriguez.

“There are a couple of things that are really ticking me off right now,” Shields said after the defeat. “One, we lost the game that we need to win, especially coming into this place and letting a lead like that get away. Then, to blow it for Weav, that's hurting pretty good right now.”

Weaver worked 6 2/3 innings on a warm, humid afternoon, Chone Figgins was tracking down flyballs all day to nearly set a major-league putout record, but it was designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero who left with fatigue. Scioscia said Guerrero had been under the weather, which led to his DH assignment. Guerrero will be re-evaluated today.

His replacement, Curtis Pride, ended up delivering a two-run homer in the seventh inning that broke a 3-3 tie. Jose Molina made it 6-3 with an RBI single in the eighth, and the Angels looked be on their way to protecting their AmericanLeague West lead.

Weaver had done his part, even though his off-speed pitches had trouble finding the strike zone. He gave up three runs on seven hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

“I was in trouble all day, but I was able to make some pitches to get out of sticky situations,” Weaver said. “I was able to keep the damage to a minimum and got out of it without it getting ugly. Overall, I thought I threw the ball well.