Game 2 Report

THE BIG PLAY

Bottom of the eighth, runner on first, two out, score tied. Tim Salmon homers to left field to give the Angels an 11-9 lead. The two-run homer was especially important because it made Barry Bonds’ solo homer in the top of the ninth relatively meaningless. It was Salmon’s second two-run homer of the game.

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DID YOU NOTICE?

When Bonds homered to deep, deep right in the ninth, the Fox cameras showed Salmon in the Angel dugout, who said, “That’s the farthest ball I’ve ever seen hit.” And the fact his team still trailed by a run didn’t stop Bonds from watching his homer. It was a beautiful homer, but it meant nothing, not that that mattered to Bonds.

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THE BIG LETDOWN

It looked as though the Angels were headed for a 2-0 Series deficit when the Giants scored four runs in the fifth for a 9-7 lead. All the excitement from the Angels’ quick start, scoring five runs in the first inning, was taken away from the Edison Field crowd. But the Angels had one more rally left in them.

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NOT IN BOX SCORE

Francisco Rodriguez looked like a seasoned veteran on the mound. The Giants’ offense was battering the Angel bullpen until Rodriguez came in and threw three perfect innings, allowing the Angels to come back and win the game. In all the talk about Salmon’s homer, don’t forget it was Rodriguez’ pitching that allowed that moment to take place.