Matsui hits 1 of 3 2-run homers for Angels

[July 21, 2010]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Hideki Matsui, Maicer Izturis and Mike Napoli hit two-run homers to back a crisp effort from spot starter Sean O'Sullivan, and the Los Angeles Angels beat the New York Yankees 10-2 on Tuesday night.

O'Sullivan (1-0) was starting in place of Scott Kazmir, who was put on the disabled list Sunday because of shoulder fatigue. Called up from Triple-A Salt Lake earlier Tuesday, the right-hander retired 12 in a row after giving up two runs in the first inning. In six innings, he allowed two hits, three walks and struck out four.

Izturis homered in his first game back after missing 27 with a left forearm strain. His fourth-inning drive gave the Angels a 4-2 lead. Napoli connected in the fifth, and Matsui, a former Yankee, homered in the seventh.

Napoli's homer followed a leadoff walk to Matsui. It chased Phil Hughes (11-3), who was making his first start since getting the loss in the All-Star game at Anaheim last Tuesday.

Napoli added a two-run single in the ninth for four RBIs and made it 10-2, the second time in three games the Yankees gave up 10 runs.

Torii Hunter and Izturis had RBI singles to help the Angels kick off a stretch of 12 games against the Yankees, AL West-leading Texas and Boston.

Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees went 2 for 4 and remained on 598 career homers. He needs to connect twice to become the seventh, and youngest, player to earn a spot in the 600 home run club.

Hughes has struggled since mid-May. He began the season allowing two earned runs or less in six straight starts but has given up more than two runs in eight of 11 starts since. The six runs he gave up Tuesday matched a season high for earned runs.

The Yankees had hoped to get more than five-plus innings from Hughes after A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte both left their starts this weekend in the third inning. Burnett cut his hands hitting double doors in the clubhouse in a fit of frustration and Pettitte strained his groin and will be out four to five weeks. Burnett should make his next start.

Jonathan Albaladejo, called up Tuesday from Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes/Barre, yielded a run in 1 2-3 innings. Chan Ho Park gave up Matsui's first homer since June 26. Chad Gaudin gave up Napoli's two-run single.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi was ejected in the sixth inning after objecting to Mark Teixeira being called out at first base on a groundout. As he was walking toward the clubhouse with his book of statistics tucked under his arm Girardi threw a wad of gum onto the field. It was his third ejection this season.

NOTES: O'Sullivan made four relief appearances this season for Los Angeles. ... Jorge Posada was given second base when Angels catcher Napoli touched a pitch that bounced in the dirt with his mask. Napoli was given an error by rule -- illegal use of equipment. ... The Angels also recalled RHP Trevor Bell from Salt Lake and optioned Cory Aldridge to their top minor league club. Bell pitched a scoreless ninth. ... Comedian Steve Martin and Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels were sitting in the front row behind home plate.

[Associated Press; By HOWIE RUMBERG]

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