DETROIT (AP) -- Even the loss of their scheduled starter couldn't derail the Los Angeles Angels against the Detroit Tigers.
Mike Trout homered and drove in three
runs, and Erick Aybar's two-run shot gave Los Angeles the lead for good
as the Angels beat Detroit 7-4 on Wednesday night for their eighth
consecutive win over the Tigers.
The Angels have outscored the Tigers 55-21 during the streak.
"If we knew what we were doing
differently (against Detroit), we'd probably try to do it against
everybody else," catcher Mark Iannetta said.
The Angels (35-43) and desperately trying to remain within hailing distance of Texas and Oakland in the A.L. West.
Miguel Cabrera and former Angels outfielder Torii Hunter homered for Detroit.
Tigers manager Jim Leyland doesn't think the streak has anything to do with how the teams match up.
"I don't really believe in that," he
said. "It's another team that's a good team, and they've been swinging
the bats very well lately. They're like everybody else. When they pitch
good, they win games."
Emergency Angels starter Billy Buckner
gave up three runs and three hits in three- plus innings. He replaced
Tommy Hanson, who was scratched after feeling tightness in his right
forearm while warming up in the bullpen before the game.
"He's going to be evaluated and have
some tests done (Thursday) and we'll see what's going on," Angels
manager Mike Scioscia said of Hanson.
Buckner was pulled in favor of Dane De
La Rosa after walking Jhonny Peralta and allowing Andy Dirks' infield
single to lead off the fourth.
De La Rosa (2-1) got two quick outs
before walking Austin Jackson to load the bases. But he fanned Hunter to
end the inning with Detroit ahead 3-2. De La Rosa allowed a hit in two
innings.
"Torii is especially tough with runners in scoring position. He's tough," Scioscia said. "That's a big out right there."
Scott Downs and Michael Kohn combined
for two scoreless innings, and Kevin Jepsen gave up an unearned run on
catcher Iannetta's passed ball in the eighth. Ernesto Frieri pitched a
scoreless ninth for his 18th save in 20 chances.
"For our bullpen to respond the way
they did . Buckner did what he could," Scioscia said. "The bullpen came
in and gave us six strong innings."
Detroit starter Jose Alvarez (1-1)
allowed four runs and seven hits in 5 2-3 innings. He left the game
after giving up Aybar's two-run homer with two outs in the sixth that
put Los Angeles ahead 4-3.
Just after pitching coach Jeff Jones
went to the mound, Aybar lofted Alvarez's first pitch just over the
fence in left for his third homer, scoring Iannetta, who had singled
with two out.
The Tigers were trying to get one last
out from Alvarez, who was made his third major league start, because of
their struggling bullpen.
"If he just kept him in the ballpark,
gets a base hit, we had (Drew) Smyly set for (Brendan) Harris as we did
anyway. We asked a lot of him," Leyland said. "He got the first two
quick outs and then of course base hit and the home run. He did a
terrific job. It wasn't his fault. He was a little spent, there's no
question about that."
Los Angeles added three in the seventh
against Smyly on Trout's RBI double, Josh Hamilton's groundout and
Alberto Callaspo's run-scoring single.
The Tigers took a 2-0 lead in the first on back-to-back homers by Hunter and Cabrera.
Hunter, who played for the Angels the
previous five seasons before signing a two-year contract with Detroit,
drove Buckner's 3-2 pitch into the left-center field stands for his
fourth home run.
Cabrera then lined a 2-0 pitch over the
fence in left for his 22nd home run and second in two days. He extended
his hitting streak to 11 games.
Victor Martinez doubled with two outs
but was stranded when Peralta sent Trout to the warning track in
left-center to haul in his drive.
Trout tied it with a two-run homer in
the third. After J.B. Shuck led off with a double, Trout sent Alvarez's
2-1 pitch over the fence in left for his 13th homer.
Prince Fielder's run-scoring single
gave Detroit a 3-2 lead in the third. His liner to right brought home
Hunter, who led off with a double.
NOTES:
Shuck, the Angels left fielder, ran into shortstop Aybar, and both
players fell as Aybar caught Dirks' pop up in short left for the first
out of the second. Aybar held onto the ball but lost one of his shoes.
Neither player was injured. ... Leyland said RHP Anibal Sanchez, who is
on the DL with a right shoulder strain, is "coming along fine," but
couldn't say when Sanchez will start again. Alvarez started in Sanchez's
slot. ... Los Angeles 2B Howie Kendrick didn't play because he fouled a
ball off his foot on Tuesday. ... Scioscia said he hoped CF Peter
Bourjos will return to the lineup on Thursday. Bourjos has missed two
games after leaving Sunday's game because of a jammed left thumb. ...
Thursday's scheduled starters are Jered Weaver (1-4, 4.65 ERA) for the
Angels against Doug Fister (6-5, 3.66). ... Cabrera made his third error
in two games at third base. His line drive in the seventh went off the
buttock of Angels pitcher Michael Kohn. "It hit me on the meaty part,"
said Kohn, who picked up the ball and threw Cabrera out at first. "I'm
glad it hit me there."
