MILWAUKEE — The Angels have been victimized by walk-off home runs and walk-off hits, and they even lost a game in 2005 on a walk-off gaffe, when closer Francisco Rodriguez missed a routine throw back from the catcher, allowing Oakland to score the winning run.
But this season they have added a new wrinkle to the sudden-death defeat: the walk-off caught stealing.
For the second time in six days, Erick Aybar, pinch-running in the ninth inning with the Angels trailing by a run, was thrown out attempting to steal second -- on his own -- to end the game.
Howie Kendrick, who had a double and three singles in four previous at-bats, was at the plate when Cleveland catcher Kelly Shoppach gunned down Aybar to preserve the Indians' 7-6 victory before 19,031 in Miller Park in the first of a three-game series that was moved to Milwaukee because of inclement weather in Cleveland.
Manager Mike Scioscia, believing the speedy Aybar would get a good jump off closer Joe Borowski, gave Aybar the green light, but Aybar's decision to run on Borowski's chest-high, 1-and-1 fastball proved unfortunate.
The result was the same as it was in Anaheim on Thursday, when Jason Kendall threw out Aybar to secure the Athletics' 4-3 victory.
"The pitch was high -- it looked like a pitchout," Aybar said through an interpreter. "I thought it was a good count to run on. It was bad luck and a good throw."
Was it wise to let Aybar run, though? Kendrick was swinging a hot bat, and a gap double would have scored Aybar.
"It was a run and hit -- if it was a good pitch, Howie would have taken a crack at it," Scioscia said. "If Erick gets to second, a single ties the game. We've just been snake-bitten a couple of times."
Though Aybar, who stole 179 of 275 bases (65%) in the minor leagues, said he is at full strength, he suffered a sprained left foot in late March. The 23-year-old rookie also has little experience -- Tuesday was his 37th big league game.
"You consider that, but Erick is talented, and he has terrific speed," Scioscia said. "I wouldn't put him on his own if the opportunity was not there."
The Angels trimmed a 7-3 deficit to 7-6 on Maicer Izturis' two-run single in the eighth and Casey Kotchman's RBI single in the ninth, but the Indians' early assault on Angels right-hander Ervin Santana, who was rocked for six runs in 4 1/3 innings, and a solid start from left-hander C.C. Sabathia (one earned run in seven innings) held up.
