Anaheim, CA – Peter Bourjos went 3-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored to back six scoreless innings from Tommy Hanson, as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim dominated the Detroit Tigers, 8-1, in the opener of a three- game series.
Albert Pujols went 3-for-5 with two RBI for the Angels (5-10), who avoided their worst 15-game start in franchise history. Mike Trout knocked in two runs and scored once.
Hanson (2-1) gave up six hits while walking four and striking out two for Los Angeles, which snapped a two-game skid.
"We had our share of big hits tonight," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.
Tigers outfielder Torii Hunter went 2-for-4 with a run scored in his return to Angel Stadium. After the Angels balked at re-signing Hunter after he hit a career-best .313 last season, the veteran moved on to sign a two-year, $26 million deal with defending AL champion Detroit. Hunter received a standing ovation from the crowd Friday night.
Detroit starter Anibal Sanchez (2-1) allowed three runs -- two earned -- on 11 hits over 6 2/3 innings.
The Angels got on the board in the third. Luis Jimenez singled to shallow left field, moved to second on shortstop Jhonny Peralta's throwing error, advanced to third on Bourjos' bunt single and scored on Trout's sacrifice fly.
Los Angeles tacked on another run in the fourth. With two outs, Chris Iannetta singled to third, advanced to second on a wild pitch and raced home on Brendan Harris' double to left-center field.
Meanwhile, the Tigers left at least one man on base over the first five innings.
"We didn't play a very good game," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "We couldn't get the big hit when we needed it."
Detroit wasted a golden scoring opportunity in the seventh. Mark Lowe and Sean Burnett combined to load the bases with one out. Prince Fielder grounded into a double play to end the threat.
Pujols' RBI single in the bottom half made it a 3-0 game.
The Angels scored five runs in the eighth to turn the contest into a rout. Octavio Dotel filled the bags with two outs. Bourjos cleared the bases with a triple to left-center field. Trout followed with an RBI double to right. Brayan Villarreal came in from the bullpen and Pujols greeted him with an RBI single to left, making it 8-0.
Hunter scored on Miguel Cabrera's single in the ninth.
Game Notes
The Angels placed infielder Alberto Callaspo on the 15-day disabled list and recalled pitcher Michael Kohn from Triple-A Salt Lake ... Los Angeles started a six-game homestand on Friday ... The Tigers went 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12.
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