Anaheim Angels Team Report - April 17th

(Sports Network) - In winning their eighth game of the 2003 campaign on Wednesday, a 9-8 decision over the Texas Rangers in Arlington, the defending World Series Champion Anaheim Angels caused a log jam at the top of the American League West Division.

The Angels put an end to a two-game slide with their one-run victory yesterday and also became the third team out of four to sport an 8-7 record after 15 games in the AL West.

Brad Fullmer went 3-for-3 with and RBI and a run scored while Bengie Molina poked two hits and drove in two runs in the third of four games at The Ballpark.

Francisco Rodriguez registered the win for the Angels as he tossed 1 2/3 scoreless frames. Troy Percival got the save despite allowing two runs and three hits in the ninth.

Getting the call to the mound this afternoon to close out their time in Texas will be Mickey Callaway. The righthander, 1-0 with a 2.38 ERA, didn't get the decision in his last start against the Oakland A's on Saturday, as he allowed three runs on six hits over 5 1/3 innings.

Callaway's lone win of the season came in a six inning, four-hit effort against the Rangers back on April 1. He has a career mark of 1-0 versus the Rangers with a 3.27 ERA.

Garret Anderson, who picked up a pair of hits while also striking out twice in five at-bats on Wednesday, is second in the AL in batting at .431 and is tops in the majors with nine doubles as part of his 25 hits.

Although Tim Salmon leads the club with 10 strikeouts thus far, he has clubbed a team-best five home runs, leading to 11 RBI.

04/17 11:15:01 ET