(Sports Network) - Two teams trying to remain in striking distance of their respective divisions clash in the middle contest of a three-game series tonight, as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim tangle with the Colorado Rockies at Angel Stadium.
On Friday, Jonathan Herrera had three hits and drove in the game-winning run in the 11th inning, as the Rockies rallied to top the Angels, 4-3.
Chris Iannetta added a two-run homer for the Rockies, who have won six of eight and sit just four games back of San Diego for the top spot in the NL West standings. Carlos Gonzalez also drove in a run in the victory.
Jeff Francis didn't factor into the decision, giving up three runs, seven hits and a walk in 6 1/3 frames. Matt Belisle (3-3) allowed one hit in 2 2/3 innings to earn the win, and Manuel Corpas picked up his 10th save.
"You can't say enough about Herrera. He strikes out his first three times then he gets three straight hits and drives in the winning run," Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. "A real nice win for us. We won together as a team."
Kevin Frandsen and Mike Napoli each had two hits and a run scored in defeat, the Angels' second straight after winning five of six. The Texas Rangers finally lost last night, so the Angels remain 4 1/2 game behind them for the AL West lead.
Jered Weaver was denied the win for the Angels after yielding two runs and five hits in seven innings while fanning 11. The righty now has the major league lead in strikeouts with 118 after his third double-digit strikeout effort.
"A great game, overall," Weaver said. "I made one bad pitch to Iannetta -- a slider that didn't slide. I have to work on getting my pitch count down. We went ahead but just couldn't hold the lead."
The Rockies broke the tie in the 11th off Francisco Rodriguez (0-1).
The Angels will try to bounce back tonight behind Joe Saunders, who is 0-2 with a whopping 11.88 ERA over his last two starts. The left-hander tied a season-low with 2 2/3 innings pitched on Sunday, allowing eight runs -- five earned -- and nine hits in a 12-1 loss at the Chicago Cubs.
Saunders, who won his only career start against the Rockies, has really struggled at home this season, posting just a 1-6 mark and a 6.75 ERA over eight starts.
Aaron Cook will get the nod for the Rockies, but that isn't all that good of news considering his 0-4 mark and 7.38 ERA in eight road starts this season. The right-hander, who hasn't won on the road since July 16th at San Diego, threw seven strong innings in a no-decision against Milwaukee on Sunday. In that game, he allowed just one earned run and three hits in the team's eventual 6-1 loss.
Despite his recent road woes, Cook has won both of his career starts in Anaheim, posting a 2.57 ERA during that time.
The Rockies have won four of six in the series after the Angels took 12 of the previous 13 meetings from Colorado.