Hamilton hits 2 HRs, Angels hit 5 to rout Cubs

[July 11, 2013]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Josh Hamilton hit two home runs, Albert Pujols also connected and the Los Angeles went deep a season-high five times in a 13-2 rout of the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night.

Mark Trumbo and Brendan Harris also homered for the Angels. Hamilton drove in five runs and Pujols drove in three.

All of the Angels' home runs were no-doubters. They hit a pair during a five-run first inning and then followed with three more in a six-run fifth, providing more than enough support for C.J. Wilson (9-6).

The Angels have won 11 of 14. Once 12 games under .500, they are now within two games of the break-even mark -- since June 12, they have the best record in baseball at 17-8.

The Cubs had their four-game winning streak snapped, a day after they hit five home runs to beat the Angels 7-2.

Hamilton broke loose a night after having his 12-game hitting streak snapped on Tuesday.

Wilson kept up his solid pitching, allowing one run and four hits in seven innings to win for the fifth time in his last six starts. He retired the last seven batters he faced before being removed with the big lead after throwing 112 pitches.

The Angels wasted little time in getting to Jeff Samardzija (5-9). Erick Aybar and Mike Trout started the game with doubles and Pujols drew the first of his three walks.

Hamilton followed with a drive over the right-field wall for a three-run shot, his 13th of the season. A batter later, Trumbo connected on a hanging slider and hit it into the left-field bleachers to cap a five-run first inning.

Leading 5-1, the Angels broke it open in the fifth as Pujols and Harris hit two-run shots and Hamilton added a solo homer.

NOTES: RHP Scott Baker will throw a bullpen session at Wrigley Field on Thursday and general manager Jed Hoyer said he's "pretty close" to going on a minor league rehab assignment. Baker has been on the disabled list all year after undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery and missing all of last year. ... The Cubs continue the homestand with a four-game series against St. Louis. Edwin Jackson (5-10) faces the Cardinals' Jake Westbrook (5-3) in the opener Thursday night. ... After traveling from California to the Midwest for two games, the Angels return to the West Coast and open a three-game series at Seattle on Friday. Jerome Williams (5-4) faces the Mariners' Joe Saunders (7-8) in the opener.

[Associated Press; By JOHN JACKSON]

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