"I can't throw that pitch in the dirt," Lackey said. "It had to be a good curve that was also a strike, because he has a great eye. There's a good chance he won't swing if it's not a strike."
Next came Alex Rodriguez, the highest-paid player in baseball at $32 million. Rodriguez hit a hard grounder to Figgins, who fielded the ball, stepped on third and fired a one-hop throw to Morales, who made the scoop for a double play.
"That was an outstanding pick by Figgy," Lackey said. "And a nice pick by Kendry on the other end."
Trouble found the Angels again in the eighth when reliever Justin Speier walked Hideki Matsui, gave up a single to Robinson Cano, hit Eric Hinske with a pitch and gave up a run-scoring single to Cabrera that made it 5-3.
On came Oliver, the 38-year-old left-hander, who got Posada to hit a sacrifice fly to center and Nick Swisher to hit a low line drive that Oliver snagged near his ankles before throwing to first for an inning-ending double play.
"That ball was there in a hurry," Oliver said. "I just reacted. It happened so quick, I don't know if I caught it or the ball just found my glove."
Lackey (4-4) didn't care. He was just happy to see Oliver hand a lead to closer Brian Fuentes, who retired the side in order in the ninth for his major league-leading 26th save, nailing down a victory that moved the first-place Angels 1 1/2 games ahead of Texas in the AL West.
"I'm just hoping to be able to walk around at his age, so that's pretty impressive," Lackey said of Oliver's double play. "He's been our most consistent guy down there. He's a good guy to hold on to a lead for you."
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mike.digiovanna@latimes.com
