Garland Pitches Angels to Win

Jon Garland pitched three-hit ball for eight innings, Gary Matthews Jr. drove in two runs and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 today with slumping slugger Vladimir Guerrero on the bench. Only four Orioles reached base against Garland (4-3), who retired 18 of his last 19 batters. It was the first time he got through the seventh since his Angels debut on April 1.

Francisco Rodriguez pitched a perfect ninth for his 12th save, breaking a tie with Baltimore's George Sherrill for the major league lead. Los Angeles pulled ahead 2-1 with a pair of runs in the seventh against Daniel Cabrera (2-1). The right-hander plunked No. 9 hitter Brandon Wood on the shoulder with one out, then walked Chone Figgins before giving up an RBI single by Reggie Willits. (More MLB stories.)