It suddenly seemed like watching a football game. The bats were alive Wednesday when the Angels beat the Indians 14-11, making season high amounts of hits. It was also the first time in Angels franchise history in which three players got four or more hits in a nine-inning game. This record belongs to Kotchman, Kendrick, and the surprisingly hot-hitting Jeff Mathis. Casey set a career high five hits in one game and one RBI. Kendrick hit three doubles, a record-tying achievement.  After all of that, it’s hard to think that anyone else could have a better day at the plate. But Jeff Mathis was that guy. He hit his first grand slam and had five other hits, totalling a six RBI game. When interviewed, Mathis couldn’t remember a time he hit a grand slam.

“Maybe Wiffle ball,” Mathis said with a laugh. “Left-handed.”

The grand slam was what finalized an Angel victory, after coming back to tie the game on two seperate occasions earlier, only to have the lead taken out from under them again. It gave the Angels a five-run fifth inning after a bases loaded walk by Matthews. All of this came off of relief pitcher Tom Mastny, who did just about everything but relieve. In 1.1 innings, he issued two walks and gave up four earned runs on three hits by the Angels.

The Angels starting pitcher didn’t do all the well either. Lackey allowed six runs on eight hits in five innings while striking out five and walking two. He still got the win, however, seeing as the bats provided more than enough run support to keep them ahead.Today I just didn’t get ahead well,” said Lackey, who has a 7.30 ERA over previous four starts. “I couldn’t locate my fastball.” 

Scioscia was also interviewed after the game. “It didn’t look like a good day for anybody to pitch,” Scioscia said.

In the month of July, the Angels have really turned it around. Not only do they have the best record in all of major league baseball, they’ve got a team batting average of .290 and are averaging about 6 runs a game; a huge step-up from their former 3 in June. If they can keep this up throughout the postseason, the Angels could be in place to win another championship.