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Anaheim at Toronto

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Anaheim002003000581
Toronto «1000021026120
Blue Jays rally in ninth, top Percival, Angels
 

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TORONTO -- Gregg Zaun looks ready to be Toronto's starting catcher.

Zaun and Vernon Wells hit run-scoring singles in the ninth inning off Troy Percival on Wednesday night, rallying the Blue Jays past the Anaheim Angels 6-5.

Zaun went 2-for-5, raising his average to .452 since his recall from Triple-A Syracuse on April 27.

Zaun served as Kevin Cash's backup, but the Blue Jays placed Cash on the 15-day disabled list after the game with bruised right ribs. Catcher Greg Myers was also transferred from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL because of a sprained left ankle.

"I'm trying not to pinch myself right now," said Zaun, who hit fifth in Toronto's struggling lineup. "I feel really good at the plate. It's nice to get an opportunity. I'm in uncharted waters hitting in the middle of the lineup. I don't think I've ever hit fifth before. It's nice to have the confidence of the manager."

Reed Johnson hit a one-out bunt single in the ninth off Percival, who blew a save for the fourth time in 16 chances, and advanced to second on Frank Menechino's single.

Wells' single to left scored Johnson, and when Shane Halter cut off Jose Guillen's off-line throw to the plate, Menechino took third as the third baseman's relay went to the backstop because catcher Bengie Molina had moved from the plate to grab Guillen's throw. Halter was charged with an error.

"When I wheeled and turned, Bengie was taking a step to his left," Halter said. "I didn't have any time to really look. I thought I had a shot at Johnson if Bengie had stayed at home."

Carlos Delgado was intentionally walked, and Zaun followed with high chopper to shortstop David Eckstein, who couldn't field the ball cleanly as the winning run scored.

"The turf is starting to become my friend," Zaun said. "I really didn't have that great of an at-bat. I just got some wood on the last pitch, chopped it on the turf and luckily for us it bounced over Eckstein."

Terry Adams (4-3) pitched two shutout innings for the Blue Jays, who had lost four of their previous five games.

Delgado and Wells homered for Toronto, which has won nine of its last 11 against Anaheim.

Anaheim starter Bartolo Colon allowed four runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings, his ERA rising to 5.19. Toronto's Pat Hentgen, whose previous turn in the rotation was skipped, gave up two runs and two hits in five innings.

Wells extended his hitting streak to 17 games with a solo shot in the first, but Halter's two-run homer put Anaheim ahead in the third.

After Vladimir Guerrero led off the sixth a double off reliever Michael Nakamura, Jose Guillen hit what looked to be a flyout to left, but Simon Pond allowed the ball to bounce past him, allowing Guillen to reach with an RBI triple.

Jeff DaVanon and Casey Kotchman added RBI doubles in the inning for a 5-2 lead.

Delgado hit a two-run homer in the sixth, and Reed Johnson had an RBI grounder in the seventh.

Notes

  • Hentgen has allowed nine homers this season.
  • Delgado struck out swinging on a pitch that landed between his legs in the eighth.
  • The Blue Jays also placed Frank Catalanotto on the 15-day disabled list with a groin injury, optioned reliever Micheal Nakamura to Triple-A Syracuse, recalled right-hander Vinnie Chulk and outfielder Alexis Rios from Syracuse and purchased the contract of catcher Bobby Estalella.

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

Copyright 2004, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved
 
 
 
Gregg Zaun is greeted by Eric Hinske after driving in the winning run in the ninth inning.
Gregg Zaun is greeted by Eric Hinske after driving in the winning run in the ninth inning.(AP)

Players of the Game
Toronto

V. Wells
AB 4
R 2
H 2
HR 1
RBI 2
Toronto

C. Delgado
AB 4
R 1
H 1
HR 1
RBI 2
 
Anaheim Angels
David Eckstein, SS4020110 .272
Chone Figgins, CF5000015 .299
Vladimir Guerrero, DH4110000 .344
Jose Guillen, LF4111001 .314
Jeff DaVanon, RF4111000 .296
Bengie Molina, C4000001 .278
Casey Kotchman, 1B3111100 .280
Shane Halter, 3B3112101 .247
Adam Kennedy, 2B4010011 .253
Totals35585339 
Batting
2B - David Eckstein (5, Adams), Vladimir Guerrero (14, Nakamura), Jeff DaVanon (3, Nakamura), Casey Kotchman (2, Nakamura)
3B - Jose Guillen (1, Nakamura)
HR - Shane Halter (4, Hentgen)
RBI - Jose Guillen (37), Jeff DaVanon (12), Casey Kotchman (8), Shane Halter 2 (13)
SB - Chone Figgins (11, 3rd base off Ligtenberg/Zaun)
Team LOB - 6
Fielding
DP - Kennedy-Eckstein-Kotchman
E - Shane Halter (8, Wild throw)
Anaheim Angels
Bartolo Colon 6.2744372 5.19
Scot Shields (H,6) 0.1000000 3.27
Francisco Rodriguez (H,13) 1100110 0.70
Troy Percival (BS,4; L,2-1) 0.1422100 4.32
IBB - Delgado by Troy Percival
Pitches-Strikes - Bartolo Colon 117-78, Scot Shields 2-2, Francisco Rodriguez 19-10, Troy Percival 22-13
Ground Balls-Fly Balls - Bartolo Colon 8-4, Scot Shields 1-0, Francisco Rodriguez 1-1, Troy Percival 1-0
Batters Faced - Bartolo Colon 29, Scot Shields 1, Francisco Rodriguez 5, Troy Percival 6
Toronto Blue Jays
Reed Johnson, RF5121011 .287
Frank Menechino, 2B4110112 .200
Vernon Wells, CF4222104 .287
Carlos Delgado, DH4112130 .231
Gregg Zaun, C5021020 .452
Simon Pond, LF4010011 .200
Josh Phelps, 1B3120100 .253
Eric Hinske, 3B4010003 .212
Chris Gomez, SS2000100 .273
Totals3561265811 
Batting
HR - Vernon Wells (5, Colon), Carlos Delgado (7, Colon)
SH - Chris Gomez (3)
RBI - Reed Johnson (24), Vernon Wells 2 (20), Carlos Delgado 2 (29), Gregg Zaun (5)
2-OUT RBI - Vernon Wells (11)
Team LOB - 10
Toronto Blue Jays
Pat Hentgen 5222321 5.55
Mike Nakamura 0.1433000 6.89
Valerio De Los Santos 1100000 5.91
Kerry Ligtenberg 0.2000000 5.82
Terry Adams (W,4-3) 2100010 4.39
Pitches-Strikes - Pat Hentgen 88-47, Mike Nakamura 16-13, Valerio De Los Santos 7-6, Kerry Ligtenberg 10-7, Terry Adams 23-14
Ground Balls-Fly Balls - Pat Hentgen 7-6, Mike Nakamura 1-0, Valerio De Los Santos 1-2, Kerry Ligtenberg 1-1, Terry Adams 3-2
Batters Faced - Pat Hentgen 20, Mike Nakamura 5, Valerio De Los Santos 4, Kerry Ligtenberg 2, Terry Adams 7
Game Information
Attendance - 14515
Game Time - 3:02
Temperature - 64
Umpires - Home - Gary Cederstrom, First Base - Jack Samuels, Second Base - Tim Welke, Third Base - Jim Reynolds
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