Harvey Saves Angels From Defeat in 9th

When it comes to voting for American League rookie of the year, Angel Manager Cookie Rojas is a little biased in favor of his reliever, Bryan Harvey.

“In my opinion he deserves to be rookie of the year,” Rojas said Thursday night after Harvey got out of a two-on, no-outs jam in the ninth inning and preserved the Angels’ 4-3 victory over the Texas Rangers.

Walt Weiss, the Oakland shortstop, appears to be the favorite.

“Weiss has done a good job, but Harvey’s been our savior,” Rojas said. “That’s as strong as I’ve ever seen Harvey pitch.”

Steve Buechele opened the ninth with a walk, and pinch-runner Bob Brower went to third when Mike Witt threw Cecil Espy’s bunt attempt into right field. Harvey struck out Jim Sundberg, got Jerry Browne on a pop-up and struck out Oddibe McDowell to earn his 16th save.

“I had a few days off so I felt good,” Harvey said. “I’ve had that situation coming in behind Mike in three or four games where I gave up some of his runs, so I wanted to get one back for him. That’s the toughest situation I’ve had to come into. It felt good. I earned it.”

When Harvey was promoted to the major leagues in April, the Angels were struggling. Harvey’s success has had much to do with the Angels’ resurgence.

“We were 16 (games) under .500 and 19 games out,” Rojas said. “He’s saved 16 and won 5. He’s capable of throwing strikes in any situation.”

Wally Joyner hit a run-scoring single, and Brian Downing followed with an RBI double as the Angels rallied for two runs in the eighth inning. Devon White singled off starter Jeff Russell to start the rally and then stole second. Mitch Williams (2-6) relieved and allowed Joyner’s RBI single. Downing then doubled to left-center off Cecilio Guante, scoring Joyner from first.

‘I bring in a guy and he gives up a hit,” Texas Manager Bobby Valentine said. “I leave in the starter and he gives up a hit. It’s my fault. I make the wrong moves. I thought Mitch could get a guy out. That’s the way it’s been this season. When I make a move it’s usually the wrong one. I must have made those bad moves 50 times this season.”

Witt (13-12) won his fourth straight and his fifth in six decisions. He allowed six hits, walked two and struck out none in eight-plus innings.

Browne had given Texas a 3-2 lead in the seventh with a run-scoring single.

Texas took a 2-0 lead in the third on Browne’s double, McDowell’s triple and Pete O’Brien’s sacrifice fly.

The Angels tied it in the seventh when Chili Davis walked and scored on Jim Eppard’s double, and Bob Boone’s single scored pinch-runner Mike Brown.