ANAHEIM, Calif. – Kelvim Escobar pitched a seven-hitter, Gary Matthews Jr. hit a three-run homer to highlight a five-run third inning and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Cleveland Indians 8-0.

Escobar (4-1) struck out nine and walked none to win his third straight start. It was his fourth career shutout and first since he did it for the Toronto Blue Jays on June 8, 2003, at Cincinnati.

Jose Molina stole home in the fourth to make it 6-0, part of a delayed double steal. Reggie Willits took second and Molina came home in a close play at the plate.

The Angels won their AL-leading 14th home game and took two of three from the Indians.

Jeremy Sowers (0-3) gave up six runs and nine hits in five innings. He struck out two and walked one.

The Angels’ struggling offense came alive in the third when they batted around in taking a 5-0 lead. With two outs, Sowers intentionally walked Vladimir Guerrero to load the bases. Robb Quinlan followed with a two-run single into shallow left field.

Matthews, whose homer provided the go-ahead run in the Angels’ 3-2 victory Wednesday, sent an 0-1 pitch from Sowers over the center-field wall.

Guerrero added a two-run double off Edward Mujica in the sixth.

Notes: It was Escobar’s first complete game since Aug. 28, 2006, a 2-0 loss to the Mariners. … The Angels open a seven-game trip to Texas and Seattle on Friday. They are 8-4 against AL West opponents. … Chone Figgins snapped an 0-for-12 drought with a double in the third for the Angels. … The Indians are 8-2-1 in series this season. … Los Angeles has three homers in its last two games after totaling one in four previous games on the homestand. … 3B Matt Brown made his major league debut for the Angels as a defensive replacement in the eighth. … The Angels turned two double plays, increasing their AL lead in that category to 42.

AP-ES-05-10-07 1806EDT