Umpires make the right call

Who needs instant replay? Even without the technology that soon will be implemented to assist umpires on home run calls, the crew working Sunday’s game between the Angels and Minnesota got it right when an eighth-inning home run by Twins outfielder Jason Kubel was reversed.

With a 3-2 lead, the Twins appeared to score another run when first base umpire Hunter Wendelstedt ruled Kubel’s drive past the right-field foul pole fair.

But the four umpires convened and, after a brief discussion, ruled the ball foul, a decision replays showed was correct. Kubel returned to the box and struck out against reliever Jose Arredondo, and the Angels rallied for three runs in the bottom of the eighth for a 5-3 win.

“It was pretty unanimous right from the beginning,” third base umpire and crew chief Randy Marsh told the Associated Press. “Nobody likes to reverse one, and I’ve been involved with some in pretty big situations like that. But when you get the call right, everyone’s behind you -- the media and the teams on the field.”

A sure sign the call was correct: Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire didn’t argue.

“Hunter had a good look at it, but it was obviously foul,” Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said. “I’m glad they put their heads together and made the right call.”

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Injury report

Garret Anderson, who is batting .344 since the All-Star break and ranks second on the team with 71 runs batted in, was pulled from Sunday’s game after one inning because of a sore left knee.

The left fielder tweaked the knee while making a superb play in the first, fielding Alexi Casilla’s hit down the line, spinning and firing to second to cut down Casilla, who was tagged out in a rundown.

Anderson, who has 36 RBIs in his last 42 games, was listed as day to day.

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A nifty fifty

With his 50th save secured by Sunday’s scoreless ninth inning, closer Francisco Rodriguez set his sights firmly on Bobby Thigpen’s single-season record of 57 saves, set with the Chicago White Sox in 1990.

“I don’t want to sound selfish because this is about the team and winning games, but I would love to get that record,” said Rodriguez, who is on pace for 62 saves. “This is the best opportunity I’ll probably ever have, so I want to go for it.”

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On hold

Reggie Willits (mild concussion) was eligible to come off the disabled list Sunday, but the outfielder won’t be activated until tonight or Tuesday, after Scioscia is able to re-set his bullpen. With Darren Oliver appearing in four of five games last week and long man Shane Loux unavailable over the weekend after throwing 55 pitches Friday, the Angels recalled right-hander Jason Bulger from triple-A Salt Lake.

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Triple trouble

The run-scoring triples by Vladimir Guerrero and Gary Matthews Jr. in the eighth inning Sunday marked the first time since May 9, 2006, when Anderson and Orlando Cabrera tripled against the Chicago White Sox, that the Angels had two triples in one inning.

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mike.digiovanna@latimes.com