Walden answers the call, shuts down Tampa Bay Rays

When Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia announced on Tuesday afternoon that reliever Jordan Walden was replacing Fernando Rodney as the closer for the foreseeable future, no doubt that many wondered whether or not Walden would be able to capably answer the call. Tonight, Walden emphatically answered that call. Starter Jered Weaver put together another quality start, catcher Hank Conger hit his first career home run and Walden pitched a flawless ninth, giving the Angels a 5-3 victory over the winless Tampa Bay Rays. Walden replaced Michael Kohn, who gave up a two-run home run to Ben Zobrist in the bottom of the eighth, cutting the Angels lead to 5-3. But Walden pitched a perfect ninth for his first save. “Being a reliever, you always want to have the ball in your hands at the very end of the game,” Walden told the Associated Press. “When I found out, I was very excited.” Weaver was once again at the top of his game, allowing one run on three hits while striking out six for his ...