Stammtisch » eading to the post-season. What they dont

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- With all the power they possess in the middle of their lineup, the Los Angeles Angels dont usually need home runs from Chris Iannetta. Yet thats what they got in a three-game series with the Kansas City Royals. The veteran catcher hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning Sunday to lift the Angels to a 4-3 victory. He also connected Friday night for their first run in a win. Iannettas latest go-ahead drive sailed into the lower seats in the left-field corner. "I didnt know if it was going to go out or not. I was just hoping it would stay fair. Im glad it did," he said. Reliever Tim Collins (0-3) retired the first batter in the eighth before Iannetta hit his fifth homer of the season. "I just missed. I was trying to go away," Collins said. "You cant miss your spots in those situations. Thats what I did, and thats what happens." Michael Kohn (2-1) pitched a scoreless inning. Ernesto Frieri got three outs for his sixth save, retiring Alcides Escobar on a popup with a runner on third. Garrett Richards, trying to preserve some arms in the Angels bullpen following Saturday nights 13-inning 7-4 loss, pitched seven innings and allowed three runs on five hits. He struck out seven and walked two. "I was prepared to go back out for the eighth, with the bullpen being taxed from last night," Richards said. "But I always try to go deep in game because I know that if I do, Im doing my job. Im going as hard as I can for as long as I can." Royals starter Jason Vargas was charged with a run and three hits over 6 1-3 innings in his return to Angel Stadium, and was lifted after 109 pitches with a 3-0 lead. Kelvin Herrera took over with a runner at first and gave up a single by No. 9 hitter Collin Cowgill on his first pitch. Mike Trout hit an RBI double with one out, Albert Pujols was hit by an 0-2 pitch and David Freese had a tying, two-run single. Pujols tried to score the go-ahead run from second on C.J. Crons sharp single, but Lorenzo Cain -- starting in right field for the first time this season after 28 starts in centre -- threw him out at the plate. Vargas struck out six and tied a career high with five walks. This was the sixth time in 165 big league starts that the 31-year-old left-hander has walked as many as five batters, and the first time since July 20, 2011, with Seattle. "I think he was being extra careful with Pujols and Trout -- and Howie Kendricks also tough," manager Ned Yost said. "Thats a powerful lineup over there. So either he was going to make his pitch, or he wasnt going to make a mistake to those guys and let them drive it out of the ballpark." Vargas walked his first batter in the second, third and fourth innings after giving up a leadoff single in the first, but the Angels couldnt capitalize. He walked his first two batters in the third before retiring Pujols on a double-play grounder to shortstop and striking out Freese. "It was just one of those games where I had to battle through some innings," Vargas said. "I was just missing and wasnt able to get ahead on some of those guys, but I was fortunate to get back into some counts later in the inning and ended up getting out of it." The Royals, who scored first in all three games of the series, took a 3-0 lead in the second. Pedro Ciriaco hit a bloop double that scored Jimmy Paredes, who singled and advanced on Richards first balk in 291 1-3 career innings to that point. Jarrod Dyson reached on a fielding error by Gold Glove shortstop Erick Aybar, and Eric Hosmer followed with a sacrifice fly before Alex Gordon capped the rally with an RBI single. Richards retired his next 11 batters, striking out the side on 11 pitches in the fifth. "Other than the third inning, it was good," Richards said. Vargas was 9-8 with a 4.02 ERA in 24 starts with the Angels last season after four years with Seattle. He signed a four-year, $32 million contract with Kansas City on Nov. 21. NOTES: LF Cowgill made two sliding catches in foul territory, one on Hosmers sacrifice fly. ... The Angels optioned RHP Matt Shoemaker to Triple-A Salt Lake and selected six-year veteran LHP Wade LeBlanc to the major league roster. LeBlanc, who signed a minor league contract in November as a free agent, was 5-1 with a 3.69 ERA with Salt Lake. He had a combined 20-32 record and 4.51 ERA in 96 big league appearances with the Padres, Marlins and Astros, including 68 starts. ... The Royals recalled RHP Michael Mariot from Triple-A Omaha and optioned C Francisco Pena to the minor league team. Pena is the son of former Royals manager and current Yankees bench coach Tony Pena. Authentic Jordan Devey Jersey . 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Schaubs last action in Houston came when he took over late in a game against Oakland on Nov. 17 as Keenum was struggling. Authentic Andrew Wylie Jersey . -- Oakland Athletics third baseman Scott Sizemore has undergone surgery on his left knee to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament.ANAHEIM, Calif. -- A mere three weeks ago, Jonas Hiller was gearing up for the playoffs during another strong season as the Anaheim Ducks starting goalie. After a few poor starts got him benched to end the regular season, Hiller now appears to be the top-seeded Ducks last resort in net in the first round against Dallas. The Swiss Olympian is trying to stay positive for his teammates, but Hiller is undeniably dismayed. "Ive definitely not been the happiest guy to be around lately," Hiller said Monday. "You can ask my wife." Hiller won 29 games during the Ducks best regular season in franchise history, but he realizes hell likely watch one of Anaheims two rookie goalies make his playoff debut at Honda Center on Wednesday. Frederik Andersen and John Gibson have 31 combined games of NHL experience, but theyve both seized the opportunity created by Hillers minor slump. Hiller is still featured prominently on the wallpaper on the Ducks website, but that might be the only place Anaheim fans can see the soon-to-be free agent in uniform again unless the rookies falter. "Ive had a few sleepless nights," Hiller said. "The whole situation isnt easy, but at the same time, Im here in the playoffs, we had the best record in Ducks history, and I know Ive been a big part of it, so its not really a reason to hang your head." The Ducks (54-20-8) have the Western Conferences best record and a Pacific Division title heading to the post-season. What they dont have any more is a clear-cut starting goalie. Yet coach Bruce Boudreau and captain Ryan Getzlaf both claimed thats not a problem as they began preparations for Dallas. "Sometimes you have to make tough decisions," Boudreau said. "The good news is you see (Hiller) out there working really hard. I think were in a position where we have three good goalies. I dont think I can screw it up too bad, whoever I choose." Hiller has been the Ducks starting goalie for most of the past half-decade, starting when he seized the job from beloved veteran Jean-Sebastien Giguere during the 2008-09 season. He has won a playoff series and made an All-Star team while providing steady netminding for an up-and-dowwn club that has frequently played inept defence in front of him.dddddddddddd But Hiller has known for months that he could be headed out of Orange County. His contract expires this summer, and he hasnt received an extension from a team with most of its key parts locked up for several years. "Not knowing whats going to be next season and all that stuff makes it even a little tougher," Hiller said. "But at the end, the further we go, the better I think for everybody. I really hope Im going to get another chance, but if not, I want to be able to help the team no matter what." The Ducks apparent decision to relegate Hiller to the bench is based on his recent play, but its also likely influenced by their future. If they let Hiller walk, the Ducks need to know their youngsters can handle the job. So far, theyve been solid. Andersen, a 6-foot-4 Dane with a powerful net presence, hasnt lost a start since mid-March, going 20-5 with a .923 save percentage as Hillers backup this season. The 20-year-old Gibson is widely considered the strongest goaltending prospect in hockey. Although he was only called up when a minor injury sidelined Andersen recently, Gibson was named the NHLs second star for last week, allowing just four goals while winning his first three big-league starts. The Ducks seem confident either rookie can withstand the pressure of a post-season run with no prior experience on that stage. "Ive seen kids step up and run with things all the time," said Getzlaf, who won a Stanley Cup title during his second NHL season in 2006-07. "Sometimes its better not to know whats going on. You just go out there and play. You always hear that old saying, The dumb kids dont know any better. We were like that when we were young. We just went out and played and enjoyed the moment, and were just hoping our goaltenders can do that." Hiller said hell be rooting for the rookies along with his teammates, while still hoping for a chance to finish what he started in Anaheim six seasons ago. "If you want to go all the way, you probably play 20-plus games," Hiller said. "And 20 games ago, I had three shutouts in four games, so it can go quick either way." ' ' '