|
 Pujols had three hits and Brendan Harris added an early RBI double for the Angels, who had a season-high 16 hits. Their 5-10 start still matches the 1961 expansion team's miserable beginning.
Tommy Hanson and four relievers combined on a rocky 10-hitter for the beleaguered Angels pitching staff, giving up their only run with two outs in the ninth.
Hunter extended his hitting streak to 12 games after receiving a standing ovation in the former Los Angeles outfielder's first night back at Angel Stadium. Detroit has lost two straight.
During Los Angeles' five-run eighth inning, Bourjos cleared the bases with a triple off Octavio Dotel when Detroit outfielders Austin Jackson and Matt Tuiasosopo misplayed his catchable drive to the warning track.
Rookie Luis Jimenez added two hits and scored three runs while playing standout defense at third base for the Angels, who got a much-needed boost in their first game since Tuesday.
The Angels stumbled back to Anaheim after seven losses in nine games. Wednesday's game in Minnesota was rained out, and the Angels had Thursday off before hosting the defending AL champions for the only time this season.
Hanson (2-1) labored through six scoreless innings for the Angels, yielding six hits and four walks while getting bailed out repeatedly by his defense. The Southern California product still earned his first career victory at Angel Stadium and interrupted the sequence of terrible starts by Los Angeles' rotation, which began the night with a majors-worst 6.07 ERA.
Anibal Sanchez (2-1) pitched into the seventh inning for Detroit, giving up 11 hits, but avoiding major trouble.
Hunter spent the past five seasons with the Angels as a steady slugger and their unofficial team captain, taking a prominent leadership role in the clubhouse and the public eye. He repeated his long-stated desire to retire with the Angels after hitting a career-best .313 with 92 RBIs last season.
[to top of second column] |
But Angels owner Arte Moreno declined to re-sign the 37-year-old free agent, even at less than market value, instead handing $125 million to former MVP Josh Hamilton, who's hitting .200 after going 1 for 5.
Hunter got a standing ovation from the half-full stadium when he went to the plate in the first inning. Hunter acknowledged the cheers with a tip of his batting helmet to the stands and the Angels' dugout before hitting a single to improve his average to .422.
Hunter got another ovation when he ran out to right field in the bottom of the inning, with fans holding signs declaring their love and thanks. Hunter pointed at the fans in the elevated right-field stands and then tapped his chest.
Hanson was in trouble from the start, allowing a runner into scoring position in each of the first five innings, but he kept the Tigers scoreless with help from two well-timed double plays by a defense that had committed an AL-worst 12 errors. Hanson had his only 1-2-3 inning in the sixth, although it included a liner hit right at Mark Trumbo and a diving catch by Trout.
Down 2-0, Detroit loaded the bases against Angels relievers Mark Lowe and Sean Burnett in the seventh, but Prince Fielder grounded into a double play.
NOTES: Jimenez is playing in the absence of 3B Alberto Callaspo, who went on the 15-day disabled list Friday with a strained right calf. ... Los Angeles recalled RHP Michael Kohn, improving its bullpen depth in the injury absences of relievers Ryan Madson and Kevin Jepsen. ... Sanchez barely ducked in time to dodge a line drive by Pujols in the fifth inning. The Venezuelan pitcher and the Dominican slugger shook hands after Pujols was thrown out at first.
[Associated
Press; By GREG BEACHAM]
Copyright 2013 The Associated
Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
