SEATTLE (AP) - Kole Calhoun thinks the Angels showed off their many talents in a win over the Mariners.
Erick Aybar hit a three-run homer, Matt Shoemaker pitched effectively into the sixth inning and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Seattle Mariners 7-5 on Thursday night.
“There’s a lot of weapons in here, one through nine, and guys have their special thing they bring to the team,” said Calhoun, who reached base safely four times from the leadoff spot.
Even with star Albert Pujols on the bench with a scheduled day off, the Angels had 15 hits, the fourth time in a week the club has had at least 11 hits in a game and its most in a game since getting 16 against the Yankees on April 25.
Recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday, Shoemaker (3-1) set down the side in order four times in 5 1-3 innings. He allowed three runs on four hits, equaled a career-high six strikeouts and did not walk a batter for the first time in five career starts.
“We were able to use all four pitches effectively, be able to throw them for strikes, get ahead of them,” the right-hander said. “Definitely a confidence builder. Just knowing I’m able to pitch at this level.”
Shoemaker didn’t allow a baserunner until James Jones dropped a double in front of a diving Mike Trout in center field to lead off the fourth. One out later, Michael Saunders lined a two-run home run to right, cutting the deficit to 5-2.
Saunders added a sacrifice fly in the sixth, but the Angels bullpen cruised into the ninth until Kyle Seager hit a two-run home run off Fernando Salas. Ernesto Frieri came on to record two outs for his eighth save in 10 chances.
“Outside of Fernando Salas maybe just losing some counts in the ninth and giving up the home run, the bullpen did a terrific job, Kevin Jepsen especially,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.
Mariners starter Brandon Maurer (1-4) lasted just four innings, allowing five runs on six hits and four walks. It’s the fifth time in seven starts this season that Maurer has failed to reach the fifth inning.
“I agree he has struggled,” Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon said of his young starter. “When you look at options you have to sit down and make sure you have a viable option. That is something Jack (Zduriencik, the general manager) and I will talk about and see where we go from here.”
Los Angeles took a quick lead in the first when Trout’s sacrifice fly to right field scored Calhoun. Trout drove in another run in the sixth with a sharp single up the middle, but the Angels, leading 6-2, were unable to blow the game open, as Seattle reliever Dominic Leone got two outs to leave a pair of runners stranded.
NOTES: OF Josh Hamilton, who sustained a bone bruise to his injured left thumb during a rehab assignment on May 22, worked out and took batting practice with the Angels. If all goes well, Hamilton is expected to join Triple-A Salt Lake in Tacoma on Friday. … Mariners 2B Robinson Cano didn’t feel well Thursday and was a late scratch. Stefen Romero replaced Cano in the lineup at DH and Nick Franklin moved to second base. … RHP Taijuan Walker, on the 15-day DL with a right shoulder impingement, said he felt good after his first rehab start with Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday and expects to throw a bullpen on Friday. “It’s sore, obviously, it’s sore,” Walker said. “It’s the normal soreness in the right spots. Sore in the right spots. It’s nothing bad. I felt like I pitched yesterday.”
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