Anaheim, CA – Ervin Santana finally won at home against the Cleveland Indians.
Santana pitched seven strong innings and Mike Trout hit one of two homers off Roberto Hernandez in his return to the majors under a different name, as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim posted an 8-4 victory Wednesday night.
Hernandez (0-1), who played the first six years of his career under the identity of Fausto Carmona, gave up 10 hits and eight runs -- five earned -- over six innings.
Santana (6-10), who was winless in seven previous starts against the Indians at Angel Stadium, surrendered a run on four hits. He's 2-8 lifetime versus Cleveland, but has a four-start overall unbeaten string. His other win was a no-hitter July 27, 2011.
"I was able to keep the ball down tonight," Santana said. "I always think positive. I might not have the good results, but I know I'm a good pitcher. It's good to get all the offense we've had the last couple of nights."
Vernon Wells and Chris Iannetta each knocked in two runs for the Angels, who took the final two contests of this three-game series. Kendrys Morales had three hits and scored twice.
Shin-Soo Choo clubbed a three-run homer in the eighth inning for Cleveland.
It's been a tough road back to the majors for Hernandez, who was arrested on Jan. 19 outside the United States consulate in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, after it was discovered that he had been pitching under a false name. The charges were later dropped in exchange for community service, and Hernandez returned to the U.S. with a new visa on July 21.
Major League Baseball hit Hernandez with a three-week suspension, but he was reinstated from the restricted list on Saturday.
The Indians committed three errors during a five-run second inning. Morales and Mark Trumbo singled before both runners advanced on a wild pitch. Alberto Callaspo then lined an RBI single to left field.
It became 2-0 when shortstop Brent Lillibridge couldn't handle a grounder from Wells.
The trouble continued when Maicer Izturis bunted for a hit to load the bases, as catcher Carlos Santana couldn't come up with the barehanded pick-up. Iannetta followed with a sacrifice fly to center field.
Trout swiped second with two outs for his 29th consecutive steal, extending a club record. Santana made a poor throw to second and then the throw home from Lillibridge was way off target, as the lead expanded to 4-0.
Trout scored on Erick Aybar's triple into the corner in right field.
"Again, we won the second half of the game, but that second inning killed us," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "I thought Hernandez did OK. Unfortunately, we didn't play good behind him."
Morales scored on a grounder from Wells in the third inning and Trout delivered a homer to left the next frame.
Home plate umpire Greg Gibson suffered an injury above his left eye in the bottom of the fifth inning and was forced to leave the game.
Torii Hunter tried to score from first base on a double off the wall in right field by Morales. Hunter charged to the plate and seemingly avoided the tag by Santana. As Hunter completed his head-first slide, the spikes on his left foot hit Gibson in the face. Hunter was called out.
"I felt something on my heel," Hunter said. "Today I had my rubber spikes on. If I had my steel spikes, he could have been missing an eye. He's a tough guy. He was blessed that I didn't wear my steel spikes today."
The 43-year-old Gibson received medical attention to stop the bleeding and he was replaced by Manny Gonzalez, who moved from first base. Gerry Davis slid over from second to first base.
Asdrubal Cabrera doubled in a run in the top of the sixth, but Iannetta went deep to center field in the bottom half.
Game Notes
Indians right-hander Cody Allen escaped a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the eighth by getting Iannetta to ground into a double play. Allen has logged 12 1/3 consecutive shutout innings since having his contract selected from Triple-A Columbus July 20 ... The Angels have won seven of their last 10 home games against the Indians ... Angels first baseman Albert Pujols was given the night off and was out of the starting lineup for only the third time this season ... Hernandez is 0-4 lifetime against the Angels.
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