By Joe Haakenson, AngelsWin.com Contributor -
JULY 6, 2002
GAME 85 - DEVIL RAYS AT ANGELS
ANAHEIM – Darin Erstad’s two-run single in the eighth inning scored Orlando Palmeiro and David Eckstein, snapping a 2-2 tie and leading the Angels to a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays before 29,513 at Edison Field.
Angels starter John Lackey gave up two runs in seven innings, but Devil Rays starter Jorge Sosa matched Lackey through seven, leaving the game in the hands of the bullpen.
Scott Schoeneweis threw a scoreless eighth inning for the Angels, and in the bottom of the eighth Jesus Colome came in for the Devil Rays. Palmeiro led off with a walk and went to second on Eckstein’s single.
The runners moved up to second and third on a passed ball before Erstad drove them both home. Troy Percival pitched the ninth inning, allowing a run but holding on for the win and his 21st save.
JULY 7, 2002
GAME 86 - DEVIL RAYS AT ANGELS
ANAHEIM – Tim Salmon’s two-out bloop single in the bottom of the 10th inning scored Jose Nieves to give the Angels a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays before 26,446 at Edison Field.
Salmon’s game-winner made a winner out of reliever Troy Percival (3-1), who pitched a scoreless inning in the top of the 10th. But it was Ramon Ortiz who deserved most of the credit, allowing just one run and three hits in nine innings, only to get a no-decision.
The Angels had eight hits off Devil Rays starter Tanyon Sturtze, but could only manage one run, scoring in the fourth inning on Garret Anderson’s RBI groundout.
The Angels finished the first half of the season with three consecutive wins and are 51-35, three games behind Seattle in the A.L. West.
