It seemed as if the Rally Monkey could have the night off as the Angels went into the ninth with a four run lead. But when reliever Shields let the tying run come up to the plate, it was suddenly a save-situation. Francisco Rodriguez took the mound, and did something he doesn’t normally do; blow a save. He gave up four runs in inning to tie the game at five runs apiece. Mark Teixiera also made his first error as an Angel when a groundball to first bounced off his shoe and away from the base. This allowed the inning to continue with two outs. Nick Markakis and Melvin Mora then got hits to stretch the game to the bottom of the ninth.

If not for Torii’s leadoff double to center, the game may still be going. He also had a potentially game saving catch in center to rob a homerun. Garret Anderson moved him to third on a sacrifice play to the right side and Howie Kendrick was intentionally walked. Sherrill got the second out when Rivera popped up in the infield and Mathis walked to load the bases. Figgy came up and got a walkoff walk to win it, 6-5.

In the past 34 games, the Angels have made an uncharacteristic 29 errors. In the finale with the Yankees, that was what lost them the game. Defense has always been what the Angels prided themselves on, and that’s not going to change now. Mike Scioscia’s theory that defense, then offense will continue to be put into effect as always.

Joe Saunders would have tied with Cliff Lee for fifteen saves this season, but instead gets no decision because of Rodriguez’s ninth inning antics. He still has the best record on the Angels. Jose Arredondo pitched a shutout eighth tonight and lowered his ERA.

Tomorrow night, the Angels will play the second game of the three game series vs the Orioles and hope to come away with win number 71 of the season.