Erstad, Angels Outlast Jays
Darin Erstad expected Nerio Rodriguez to do the predictable thing with his first pitch of the game.
"He didn't have a choice in that situation," said Erstad, whose leadoff home run in the 11th inning Monday night lifted the Anaheim Angels to a 4-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.
"You have to approach it like a 2-0 count or a 3-1 count because you know he's got to get ahead of the hitter," Erstad said. "So you're looking for a pitch in a certain place and hoping to take advantage of it."
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"This was a good win for the team," Vaughn said. "We need to keep playing with the same intensity we had tonight. We need to remain positive. This is a team that will fight to the end and you need some breaks to go with it, too."
Troy Percival (1-1) pitched a hitless 11th inning, helping send Toronto to its fourth consecutive loss following an eight-game winning streak. Rodriguez (0-1) was the loser.
Blanked on four hits by Chuck Finley through the first six innings, Toronto took a 3-2 lead in the seventh with three runs capped by Shannon Stewart's RBI single off Mark Petkovsek. Stewart had half of the Blue Jays' hits, going 4-for-5.
"We're not having much success against him," Angels manager Terry Collins said. "We've tried about everything we've tried pitching him in and out, up and down, but he keeps finding places to put the ball. He's a good-looking player."
Blue Jays designated hitter Anthony Sanders shined in his major league debut, going 2-for-4 including a two-run double that drove in Toronto's first two runs.
"You're kind of relaxed until you actually get up there and get on deck, then start walking up there," said Sanders, who struck out on thee pitches in his first at-bat.
"I tried to take deep breaths and tried to relax, and then I got up there and swung at everything he threw. But I guess it's just a learning experience. You get the first at-bat out of the way, then get to work and do what I know I can do."
Anaheim tied it in the seventh on a one-out single by Randy Velarde and Vaughn's 200th career double, a drive over the head of right fielder Shawn Green.
"He got the ball in, where he wanted to, on Mo Vaughn and Vaughn hit it," Toronto manager Jim Fregosi said. "He's a good hitter."
Vaughn, activated from the disabled list Thursday, drove in the Angels' first run with a fifth-inning single. Jeff Huson scored moments later on a wild pitch by Chris Carpenter.
Carpenter, 4-0 against the Angels, allowed three runs and eight hits in 6 2-3 innings and escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fourth. Anaheim also stranded three in the eighth before Erstad's clutch hit.
"We kept battling and that was a good sign," Erstad said. "The whole team came out with a lot more intensity tonight, which was something that we've been lacking. We've got to go out there every night and play like that."
Finley, making his 350th career start and first at home this season, gave up three runs and five hits in 6 2-3 innings and struck out seven.
Notes: Vaughn, who has 231 career homers, is one of only two Angels hitters to play at least one full season in the majors and have more career homers than two-base hits. Tim Salmon is the other, with 185 homers and 176 doubles. ... Garret Anderson, playing center field instead of left while two-time Gold Glove Jim Edmonds is sidelined, robbed Mike Matheny of extra bases with a leaping catch before crashing into the fence. ... A hit-and-run play by the Angels backfired in the first inning. Salmon grounded one up the middle with Velarde on the run, and second baseman Kelly was in perfect position to start a 6-3 double play and strand Erstad at third. ... Carpenter turns 24 on Tuesday.
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