Angel Bats Wake Up in Time

This kind of offense probably won’t get the Angels very far in the playoffs, or even into the playoffs. But it was enough on this night, against the Detroit Tigers, and for that the Angels were grateful.

After seven of their worst offensive innings of the season, the Angels produced one of their finest. Garret Anderson’s two-run, ground-rule double capped a three-run eighth inning, securing a 3-1 victory that lifted the Angels two games ahead of the Oakland Athletics with 14 to play.

“We make it hard on ourselves, don’t we?” second baseman Adam Kennedy said.

The Angels got a magnificent performance from rookie Ervin Santana, who got a little help from Francisco Rodriguez in finishing a four-hitter. The Angels got four hits as well, two in the first six innings against pitching worthy of a split-squad game in spring training.

The Angels went quietly and drearily through the middle innings and into the late ones. When Juan Rivera grounded out to start the eighth, the Tigers had retired 17 consecutive hitters to maintain a 1-0 lead.

Five batters later -- with some luck, some speed, unusual patience and Anderson’s clutch hit -- the Angels had rallied.

“That’s what we have to do,” Anderson said. “We’re not going to hit too many balls over the fence.”

Maicer Izturis grounded to second baseman Placido Polanco, whose throw beat Izturis but bounced away from first baseman Chris Shelton. The play appeared to be an error, but Izturis was credited with an infield single.

Izturis stole second, despite the Tigers’ pitchout. Then Kennedy and Chone Figgins loaded the bases by drawing back-to-back walks, an anomaly for the team that has the fewest walks in the American League West.

Orlando Cabrera grounded to shortstop, but the ball was hit too slowly for the Tigers to turn what would have been an inning-ending double play. So the Tigers could get only a force at second, Izturis scored, and the score was tied, 1-1.

Cabrera stole second, enabling him to follow Kennedy home with an insurance run when Anderson’s hit -- off Detroit closer Fernando Rodney -- bounced into the right-field seats.

“That’s not pressure,” said Anderson, the Angels’ all-time RBI leader. “The pitcher is the one under pressure. He’s the one that’s got to make the pitch to get me out.”

Santana made those pitches all night. He gave up four hits over eight innings -- two singles, a home run by Marcus Thames in the second inning and a double that appeared to be misplayed by Rivera in left field. He struck out seven.

Santana ended any concern that he might be fatigued toward the end of a long rookie season -- “I’m not tired,” he said -- and left Manager Mike Scioscia feeling much more comfortable keeping Kelvim Escobar in the bullpen.

“It gives us a better overall look if we can do that,” Scioscia said.

Paul Byrd starts today, Bartolo Colon on Tuesday and John Lackey on Wednesday, and Scioscia said he has decided nothing beyond then. The Angels are expected to use Colon and Lackey as often as possible, and Jarrod Washburn could return next weekend.

The Tigers started Roman Colon, a rookie with a 6.29 earned-run average. He got two outs, then left because of stiffness in his right shoulder. Then came Mark Woodyard, a September callup making his major league debut, and Doug Creek, a 36-year-old journeyman. Their totals: six innings, no runs, two hits.

“Those guys were pitching well,” Scioscia said. “Sometimes it’s tough when you face a potpourri of pitching.”