I was about to say maybe i’d spoken too soon, but then I would’ve spoken too soon.

In the bottom of the 8th, the halos’ willits gor on first and then hustled to 2nd on a pitcher’s error. Figgins hit sent willits to third and then to home, where he was promptly thrown out. Figgins then tried to steal second and was thrown out. Cabrera got to first. Vlad guerrero to bat.

So now it’s 1 on and 2 outs and it sucky cuz on any other team without such (over)aggressive running, it would be bases loaded and no outs with the big slugger coming to bat.

But like I said, this isn’t any other team. Vladdy’s hit moves cabrera over. Gary matthews jr. Hits what’s probably a home run but is ruled a triple and we score 2 more runs.

Should it have been more? Maybe. But what goes unnoticed and is more important in the longer stretch run is that on Guerrero’s single, centerfielder Kenny Lofton –a multiple gold glove winner– looked up for a split second, allowing the ball to kick up on to his shin. It didn’t skip by him –but it could have.

It may have cost the Angels a 2-out investment, but the long-term returns are paying off. The reputation as a team that runs, the pressure they put on excellent fielders, will only continue to help them.

It’s a pleasure to watch, even when they get caught. Even when they only win by 5 runs instead of 7.

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