Hideki Matsui’s run-scoring single in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Los Angeles Angels a 4-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Saturday.
Matsui hit a 2-0 pitch from Craig Breslow (0-1) to right field, allowing Bobby Abreu to score from second base.
In his first year with the Angels after arriving from the New York Yankees, Matsui is batting .417 with five RBIs.
The Angels pounded out 13 hits, including three from Matsui and two each by Erick Aybar, Howie Kendrick and Abreu in stopping their four-game losing skid.
Fernando Rodney (1-0) picked up the win by pitching a perfect frame in the ninth.
The A’s rallied from a two-run deficit with runs in the seventh and eighth innings to knot things up at 3-3.
Los Angeles went ahead 1-0 on Matsui’s double and led 3-1 following a single by Aybar.
Angels starter Jered Weaver took a no-decision, going six innings and allowing one run on four hits with seven strikeouts.
Kevin Kouzmanoff had a pair of hits, including his first home run of the season for Oakland.
Oakland | LA Angels | |
Ben Sheets | Player | Jered Weaver |
No Decision | W/L | No Decision |
6.0 | IP | 6.0 |
1 | Strikeouts | 7 |
10 | Hits | 4 |
4.50 | ERA | 1.50 |
Oakland | LA Angels | |
Kevin Kouzmanoff | Player | Hideki Matsui |
2 | Hits | 3 |
2 | RBI | 2 |
1 | HR | 0 |
5 | TB | 4 |
.500 | Avg | .600 |