Detroit, MI (Sports Network) – Mark Trumbo finished a single shy of the cycle and knocked in five runs, as the Angels used three big innings to take down the Tigers, 12-7, in the opener of a four-game series.
Trumbo went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer and three runs scored for the Angels, who have won three in a row and seven of nine overall. Erick Aybar and Howie Kendrick added two RBI apiece.
LA starter Joel Pineiro had the tough task of following up Ervin Santana’s no- hitter on Wednesday against the Indians. Pineiro’s outing on Thursday was not as impressive, as he allowed six runs — five earned — on seven hits over 3 1/3 innings.
Bobby Cassevah (1-0) gave up two hits over 2 1/3 innings of relief to pick up his first win of the season.
Wilson Betemit and Miguel Cabrera each hit solo homers for the Tigers, who have lost three of four. Brennan Boesch and Andy Dirks added two RBI apiece.
Detroit starter Brad Penny (7-8) allowed seven runs on nine hits over 3 1/3 frames to suffer the loss.
Holding a 7-6 lead, the Angels exploded for five runs in the seventh to create some distance. David Purcey gave up a single to Bobby Abreu and walked Vernon Wells and Alberto Callaspo to load the bases. Phil Coke was called in from the bullpen. Kendrick greeted him with a two-run single to center. Trumbo followed with a two-run double to center. After Peter Bourjos popped out, Jeff Mathis reached base on a bunt single to put men on the corners. Aybar’s RBI fielder’s choice made it a 12-6 contest.
Betemit’s solo homer off Scott Downs in the eighth accounted for the final margin.
LA jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second. With a man on first and two outs, Trumbo smacked the ball off the left-field foul pole. Originally called a triple on the field, the play was reversed to a homer after a review. Mathis added an RBI single two batters later.
Cabrera’s solo homer to center in the home second made it a 3-1 game. Detroit added another run in the third on Boesch’s RBI single.
The Angels used a four-run fourth to increase their margin. Kendrick led off with an infield single and crossed the plate on Trumbo’s triple. Bourjos followed with an RBI double to left. Aybar knocked in Bourjos with a single. Charlie Furbush took over for Penny and offered up an RBI single to Torii Hunter.
The Tigers promptly responded with four runs in the home half of the inning. Cabrera doubled and Victor Martinez singled to start things. Jhonny Peralta and Dirks followed with RBI singles. Horacio Ramirez then took over on the mound for Pineiro. He put men on second and third with two outs, before Boesch came through with an RBI single to cut the gap to 7-6.
The Angels lead the season series with the Tigers, 3-1…Penny fell to 3-4 lifetime against the Angels…The Tigers started a seven-game homestand on Thursday…Detroit manager Jim Leyland was ejected in the bottom of the third.