Angel Win Is a Long Shot, Short Story

The Angels punched their postseason ticket two years ago by utilizing an opportunistic approach, a formula they pulled out of the archives in the ninth inning Sunday night during one of their most stirring victories of the season.

David Eckstein executed a suicide squeeze bunt to perfection with the bases loaded, scoring Darin Erstad with the go-ahead run in a 6-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in which the Angels scored three times in their final at-bat.

Jose Guillen hit a leadoff homer to tie the score and the Royals compounded the mess with two errors, and the Angels won their fourth consecutive game to move into a second-place tie with the Texas Rangers in the American League West, 1 1/2 games behind the Oakland Athletics. It is the first time the Angels have been in second since June 22.

“It seems like we’re finding ways to win late,” starting pitcher John Lackey said of the Angels, who won their second consecutive game in come-from-behind fashion. “That’s a trait we had a couple of years ago, and it’s nice to see.”

Kansas City appeared on its way to a rare victory after Mike Sweeney hit a go-ahead double in the seventh and Garret Anderson was ejected after arguing a called third strike that ended the Angels’ half of the eighth. It was the second career ejection for Anderson, who was tossed after arguing, walking a few steps away and then re-engaging home plate umpire Dan Iassogna in a heated discussion.

But Guillen opened the ninth by hitting Nate Field’s 0-and-1 pitch over the wall in left-center field for his 21st homer and 88th run batted in, a career high.

“That was a big lift,” Eckstein said. “Being able to step up there and do that with one swing of the bat allows everyone to go back out there and play their game.”

Erstad walked and went to second on Robb Quinlan’s groundout before Field (2-3) intentionally walked Adam Kennedy to set up a possible double play.

Royal reliever Dennys Reyes then got pinch-hitter Tim Salmon to hit a routine fly ball that right fielder Abraham Nunez dropped, loading the bases and stirring excitement in the Angel dugout.

“When that guy dropped the ball,” reliever Francisco Rodriguez said, “I thought, ‘We’ve got them.’ ”

Then, with Erstad charging home, Eckstein delivered the game-winning bunt.

“I really hadn’t been swinging the bat well this whole series, so it was the perfect time to do it,” Eckstein said. “Ersty got a really good jump, so I didn’t have to worry about placing it.”

Reyes threw wildly to first after fielding the bunt, allowing Kennedy to score and Eckstein, who was credited with a hit, to reach second.

Rodriguez struck out two of the three batters he faced in the ninth, recording his eighth save. Brendan Donnelly (4-2) pitched 1 1/3 innings of perfect relief for the victory.

The Angels (61-50), who have won seven of their last nine games and have trimmed 4 1/2 games off their deficit in the division since July 21, go for a four-game sweep of the Royals tonight.

Guillen has been a big part of the Angels’ recent push, with 32 RBIs in his last 30 games and solid defense in left field. He drove in the Angels’ second run in the first inning Sunday, and his late homer put him on track for 30, one shy of the career-high 31 he hit last season.

“A lot of attention is given to Vlad [Guerrero] -- and rightfully so,” Angel Manager Mike Scioscia said. “But without Jose’s input we would not be as nearly in this thing as we are.”

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In the Clutch

Jose Guillen had the game-tying hit Sunday and David Eckstein the go-ahead hit. A look at this season’s Angel leaders in both categories:

*--* Player Game-tying hits Go-ahead hits Total Jose Guillen 9 17 26 Vladimir Guerrero 8 18 26 Garret Anderson 4 9 13 Darin Erstad 4 8 12 Chone Figgins 2 10 12 Adam Kennedy 5 7 12 David Eckstein 3 7 10 Bengie Molina 5 4 9 Jose Molina 4 4 8

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