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 Albert Pujols and Mike Trout hit three-run homers, Chris Iannetta
hit a two-run shot and Matt Joyce hit a solo homer as the Angels
built a 10-0 lead and knocked out Bettis after 2 1/3 innings, the
shortest start of his career.
The Angels, who swept a three-game weekend series at Texas, have
scored 43 runs in their four straight victories. The Angels have
scored 10 runs off the opposing team's starter in consecutive games
for the first time in franchise history.
"We know we're a lot better offensively than we showed in parts of
the first half," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "And in these
last four games, it's good to see."
Pujols hit his 26th homer in the first after Kole Calhoun doubled
and Bettis hit Trout with a 1-2 pitch on his left elbow. Trout has
been wearing a small guard there after having been hit in the same
spot three times in the past two weeks.
Joyce led off the five-run second with his fourth homer. Johnny
Giavotella singled home a run after a walk and a sacrifice, and
after Calhoun followed Giavotella with a single, Trout hit his 22nd
home run.
"You can definitely tell everybody in our lineup has some confidence
and seems to be relaxed," Joyce said. "Anytime you have those things
going for you and you can stay in the zone and put a good swing on a
pitch you get to hit, good things are going to happen."
Iannetta's fourth homer came with one out in the third and finished
Bettis (4-4), who won his previous two starts and allowed four runs
in 12 1/3 innings in those outings. The four home runs, 10 runs and
10 earned runs allowed were all career-highs. Bettis joined Shawn
Chacon as the second Rockies pitcher to allow at least 10 earned
runs on four homers, depths Chacon reached on July 8, 2001, also
against the Angels.
"It (stinks) to waste a day like this, because I felt really good,"
Bettis said. "I missed four pitches up, and it did damage."
Left-hander Andrew Heaney (2-0) made his third start for the Angels
since being promoted June 24 from Triple-A Salt Lake City when Jared
Weaver went on the disabled list. In his eighth career start, he
pitched a career-high 7 1/3 innings in his Coors Field debut.
"I think Andrew just went out there like it was a 2-0 game and
pitched well," Scioscia said. "Had great arm-side command, pitched
in really well to some of the right-handed hitters and mixed in his
secondary pitches."
Iannetta said fastball command to both sides of the plate is the
biggest difference between Heaney now and in spring training. Weaver
could return right after the All-Star break, which means the Angels
might have to decide whether Heaney remains in their rotation.
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"I'd like to think I've given myself an opportunity," Heaney said.
"But there are five other really good pitchers that made the team
for a reason, and there was a reason I didn't. So I'm just going out
there and pitching to the best of my ability."
Heaney gave up a homer to left fielder Drew Stubbs in the second,
his third of the year. And Heaney gave up three straight singles in
the sixth, the last a run-scoring hit by shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.
The second-place Angels have won eight of their past nine games and
11 of their past 14. They are 2 1/2 games behind Houston, the
closest they have been to first place in the American League West
since they trailed by that margin on June 13.
The loss was the Rockies'eighth straight to the Angels and their
ninth in 10 interleague games this year. The Rockies, who began a
six-game homestand that will carry them to the All-Star break, have
lost eight of their past 10.
Yohan Flande, after relieving Bettis, pitched 5 2/3 scoreless
innings, getting 11 outs on ground balls in that span and allowing
two singles, both in his final inning.
"He did a (heck) of a job under the circumstances." Rockies manager
Walt Weiss said. "He really saved the bullpen."
NOTES: 1B Albert Pujols tied the Angels'club record for home runs
before the All-Star break. Garrett Anderson hit 26 homers before the
break in 2000. . . . In 3B Nolan Arenado and 2B DJ LeMahieu, the
Rockies will have two All-Stars for the first time since 3B Jeff
Cirillo and 1B Todd Helton were selected in 2000. . . . Rockies SS
Tulowitzki extended his career-high hitting streak to 19 games and
has reached base in a career-high 34 consecutive games. . . . Angels
RHP Jered Weaver (left hip inflammation) threw on flat ground and is
scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday. He then will be
evaluated to determine whether he needs a rehab start. . . . Interim
Angels GM Bill Stoneman will be with the team in Seattle, where the
team opens a four-game series Thursday. . . . OF Collin Cowgill
(sprained right wrist) is at the Angels'facility in Tempe, Ariz.,
receiving treatment but is shut down for about another week.
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