Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Mike Napoli hit a grand slam and drove in a career-high six runs as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim crowned Tampa Bay, 12-3, in the finale of a three-game set at Angel Stadium.
Howie Kendrick posted his first career five-hit game for the Angels, who salvaged a game in the set and stopped a three-game losing skid. Hideki Matsui collected two hits, scored three times and drove in three while Jeff Mathis added a pair of RBI in the rout.
Dan Haren (2-4) got the win by allowing just three hits and a run with eight strikeouts and four walks over six innings.
John Jaso finished 3-for-5 with a homer and drove in all three runs for the Rays, who had won nine of their last 11 coming in. With the loss, Tampa dropped a half-game behind the Yankees in the AL East. New York plays Toronto later Wednesday.
Jeff Niemann (10-4), who was activated from the 15-day disabled list prior to the contest, was torched in defeat for a career-high 10 runs -- all earned -- and eight hits over 3 1/3 frames.
Jaso hit a solo homer to open the scoring for Tampa Bay in the first, but the Halos cranked out four in the home half on a bases-clearing three-run double from Matsui and an RBI double by Napoli.
Niemann was unable to work out of trouble in the third, as he gave up singles to Alberto Callaspo and Torii Hunter with a walk to Matsui to load the bases. Napoli cleared them with a grand slam to left for an 8-1 game.
The Tampa Bay starter wasn't pulled until he allowed a leadoff Kendrick double and a one-out walk to Hunter in the fourth. Andy Sonnanstine was called on, but walked Matsui and Napoli to force in a run, then a Mathis double scored two to make it 11-1.
Kendrick's sixth-inning RBI single gave the Angels a 12th run, before the Rays finally struck back on Jaso's two-run double in the seventh.
This was the first 12-run game for the Angels since a 12-0 victory over the Cubs in Chicago on June 19...It was Napoli's second career grand slam...Callaspo had two hits and scored once while Hunter walked and scored three times...Prior to the contest, the Rays optioned pitcher Dale Thayer to Triple-A Durham to complete the Niemann transaction.