KOLE CALHOUN scored three times in the Angels 5-4 victory over the Orioles on Sunday (Flickr/Keith Allison).

Hitting, pitching and hitting are important in baseball, but the most vital statistic is runs scored. On Sunday the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were outhit 9-6 by the host Baltimore Orioles, but still managed to notch a 5-4 win. It was their ninth victory in 11 games.

The victory improved their mark to 64-60. It gave them a little breathing room as the second place team in the American League West and allowed them to keep pace with the Minnesota Twins in the AL’s second wild card spot.

Kole Calhoun had just one hit – a home run – but he walked three times and scored three times. The deciding hit was a single by punch hitter Cameron Maybin, bringing home Calhoun in the eighth inning. Andrelton Simmons hit the other Halo home run.

Parker Bridwell had a so-so outing, working five innings and yielding six hits and four runs – two of them earned – while striking out three and walking one. The bullpen did a bit better, with four scoreless innings. The win went to Cam Bedrosian (3-2).

Having taken two of three from the Orioles, the Angels will open a crucial four-game series with the Texas Rangers, with Tyler Skaggs (1-3) making the start. The Rangers are in fourth place in the AL West at 61-62, just 2.5 games back of the Halos.