Angels Bunt Way Past Streaking Rockies

Two bunt singles in the eighth inning decide the game. How often do you see that?

Updated 7:45 AM PST, Wed, Jun 24, 2009

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Bobby Abreu drove in the tying and go-ahead runs with a bases-loaded single in the eighth inning after Colorado third baseman Ian Stewart messed up two bunt plays, and the Los Angeles Angels won 4-3 Tuesday night to hand the Rockies their second loss in 19 games.

Colorado had won six straight overall and a club-record nine in a row on the road.

Long Beach State alum Troy Tulowizki's two home runs and three RBIs helped Ubaldo Jimenez (6-7) take a 3-2 lead into the eighth. But the right-hander walked Jeff Mathis leading off the inning, and Erick Aybar was awarded a bunt single after Stewart fielded the ball up the line and looked toward second before throwing late to first.

Chone Figgins followed with a bunt toward the mound and Jimenez got it to third in time for an apparent force, but Stewart didn't have his foot on the bag when he took the throw. Abreu worked the count to 3-1 before singling to right field.

Juan Rivera homered for the Angels and Kevin Jepsen (2-2) pitched a perfect eighth for the victory. Former Rockies closer Brian Fuentes got three outs for his major league-leading 20th save in 23 chances.

Colorado is 19-6 since Jim Tracy replaced Clint Hurdle as manager on May 29. Tracy, who guided the Los Angeles Dodgers to a division title in 2004, just missed becoming the third manager since 1900 to take over a team in midseason and win 20 of his first 25 games.

Sean O'Sullivan gave up three runs and five hits in his second major league start. The 21-year-old right-hander was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday when Ervin Santana was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of soreness in his triceps.

O'Sullivan filled in for Santana last Tuesday at San Francisco, allowing a run and five hits over seven innings in an 8-1 victory his big league debut.