| Shane Cobb. 25th April, 2006 - 3:31 am
 Game Recap #20. Angels 3, Tigers 0
What a great night! Sophomore sensation, Ervin Santana, pitched a brilliant game. He went six innings and struck out a career high 10 batters. The Angels pitching was excellent striking out a total of 14 Tigers in the 3-0 shutout.
Ervin Santana had the game of his life, well, strikeout wise. The 22-year-old Dominican picked up his 2nd win of the season against the Detroit Tigers, the first game of a three game series. Ervin entered the game with a 3.93 ERA and with this game decreased it 2.96.
Replacing Santana after six innings was Brennan Donnelly. Donnelly pitched a shutout 7th inning allowing no base runners. The 8th inning setup man, Scot Shields, made his third straight appearance. Shields picked up his 7th hold of the young season.
With a 3-0 lead, Francisco Rodriguez came in to close it out. Trying to match what Ervin did earlier in the night was not going to be easy for K-Rod. But, Francisco matched Ervin and then some. K-Rod came in the 9th inning to close out the game. He struck out the side and capped off a great night by Angels pitchers while picking up his 8th save of the season, tied for most in the league.
The offense was jump started in the 2nd inning by longtime Angel Tim Salmon. The King Fish hit a solo shot off of Kenny Rogers, giving the Angels the 1-0 lead. Angels didn?t score again until the 6th inning, thanks to Salmon again. Salmon hit an RBI single scoring Garret Anderson from second base.
If it wasn?t for Santana?s dominance tonight, Timmy would?ve got the player of the game award. But I?m sure Salmon doesn?t mind, as long as the Halos come out with the victory, which they did.
This victory puts the Angels 2 above .500 at 11-9, best in the AL West. Recently called up Angels top prospect, Howie Kendrick, did not make his debut today. Hopefully Kendrick will get the start tomorrow as the Angels DH against right-hander Jeremy Bonderman.
Player of the game: Ervin Santana ? The sophomore sensation struck out a career high 10 batters in just six innings. Santana picks up his second win of the season.
Disappointment ? Darin Erstad ? Ersty went 0 for 3 with a strikeout.
Next game: April 25th, Tuesday vs. Detroit Tigers
On the mound: Hector Carrasco (0-0, 4.38 ERA) vs. Jeremy Bonderman (1-2, 5.55 ERA)
Angels record: 11-9
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