Originally Posted by
RotoWorld
Howie Kendrick had two hits, two RBI and three runs scored Saturday against the Pirates.
Kendrick has 13 hits and 10 runs scored during a seven-game hitting streak that's pushed his average up to .295. He's looking like an asset in mixed leagues again.
Gary Matthews Jr. hopes to play Sunday after leaving Saturday's game with left hamstring tightness.
"Just running down the line, it felt a little tight -- but it didn't pull or grab or anything," Matthews said after the game. "They yanked me, but I could have finished it out. It feels OK right now. I want to go out and play tomorrow." Nathan Haynes might get one start in his place.
Jered Weaver (shoulder) will throw in the bullpen Sunday and is hopeful he'll start on Wednesday.
Manager Mike Scioscia said John Lackey will start Monday against Kansas City and Ervin Santana will start Tuesday. Weaver was scratched on Friday because of a bruised right shoulder.
Casey Kotchman, out since June 16 because of a concussion, took batting practice, ground balls and other drills Saturday.
He hasn't had a headache since Wednesday. "I'm getting better every day," he said. "I don't know if he'll play [today]," manager Mike Scioscia said, "but we'll move forward. When he's ready, he's ready, but we're not targeting one day."
Back on his rehab assignment, Justin Speier pitched a perfect inning for the Rookie AZL Angels on Saturday.
Speier has been out since the end of April with an intestinal infection. How he throws this week will determine whether he has a chance of returning before the All-Star break.
Brandon Wood homered and doubled twice Saturday for Triple-A Salt Lake.
Wood is batting .361 with four homers over the last nine games, putting him back up to .258/.350/.475 on the season. He's going to need a big second half in order to thrust himself into the Angels' plans for 2008.
Gary Matthews Jr. flied out as a pinch-hitter Sunday after leaving Saturday's game with hamstring tightness.
He might return to center field for Monday's game.
Bartolo Colon turned in his first quality start since May 17 by yielding two runs in six innings Sunday against the Pirates.
Maybe they should have different rules for quality starts. Like four runs in six innings against the Tigers is fine, but for the Pirates, a pitcher should have to go at least seven innings and allow no more than one run. Colon allowed seven hits and walked four, so wasn't exactly dominant today. There's still ample reason to be concerned about his arm.
Erick Aybar singled in Howie Kendrick in the bottom of the 10th to give the Angels a 4-3 win over the Pirates on Sunday.
Francisco Rodriguez blew a rare save in the ninth after a walk, two wild pitches and a single. Aybar's liner to right would have been a double if it hadn't ended the game. Instead, it was his second single. He got the nod at shortstop today, providing Orlando Cabrera with a rare breather.