Save by Tribe closer Lewis is significant

It was the Angels’ first series loss to an AL opponent since a three-game sweep in Tampa Bay in May.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Jensen Lewis pitched like Francisco Rodriguez to make sure Los Angeles’ closer never got a chance.

Lewis worked out of a ninth-inning jam for his third save to help the Cleveland Indians beat the Angels 4-3 in the deciding game of a three-game series Sunday.

It was the Angels’ first series loss to an AL opponent since a three-game sweep in Tampa Bay from May 9-11. They hadn’t lost any series since dropping two of three interleague games to the Los Angeles Dodgers from June 27-29.

“You set the standard so high and you lose one series and ask ‘what’s wrong,’ ” Angels outfielder Torii Hunter said. “That’s what we’re saying. We’ve been riding the wave so long. We have to get another wave.”

One key to the Angels having baseball’s best record (76-46) has been Rodriguez. The right-hander has 47 saves and is on track to shatter the record of 57 by Bobby Thigpen of the Chicago White Sox in 1990.

Jeremy Sowers (2-6) gave up eight hits but only two earned runs over 6 2/3 innings for his first win in five starts. He again struggled in the first inning, allowing two runs. In 15 starts, Sowers has given up 15 runs in the opening inning.

“We got timely hitting and good relief work,” Sowers said after earning his first home win in 13 starts at Progressive Field since beating Detroit Aug. 25, 2006.

Rafael Perez, who struck out three over 1 1/3 perfect innings.

Juan Rivera blooped a single in front of center fielder Grady Sizemore to open the ninth against Lewis. Gary Matthews ran for Rivera and was sacrificed to second by pinch-hitter Sean Rodriguez. Pinch-hitter Kendry Morales singled Matthews to third before Lewis got Chone Figgins on an infield popout and Erick Aybar to foul out to left field.

“You talk about the definition of a save and that’s it,” Indians manager Eric Wedge said. “Lewis showed a lot of moxie out there. We were playing ‘no doubles’ on defense, so that first ball drops in. Jensen had to bow his neck and that’s what he did.”

Cleveland took a 4-3 lead in the sixth against Justin Speier (1-6). Sal Fasano hit a leadoff double and was sacrificed to third. Sizemore then fought off an inside fastball that jammed him, blooping an RBI single to right-center.

Cleveland’s Franklin Gutierrez had three singles for his first three-hit game since April 29. His two-out, two-run single off Joe Saunders with the bases loaded in the bottom of the first tied it at 2.