Detroit, MI (Sports Network) – Torii Hunter hit a two-run homer to back seven strong innings by Jered Weaver as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim downed Detroit, 4-2, in the opener of a three-game set from Comerica Park.
Howie Kendrick and Peter Bourjos each knocked in a run for the Angels, who snapped a three-game slide and won for the just the third time in their last 10 games.
Weaver (11-7) scattered three hits and two runs — one earned — with nine strikeouts and four walks for the win. Brian Fuentes turned in a scoreless ninth for his 21st save.
Brennan Boesch hit a solo homer for the Tigers, who have dropped six of seven.
Justin Verlander (12-7) allowed seven hits and four runs over seven full frames in defeat.
In the Halos’ first, Erick Aybar singled with one out and Hunter made it 2-0 for the visitors with a two-out homer.
Maicer Izturis singled to start the second and Kendrick knocked him in for a 3-0 game. After a Bobby Wilson sacrifice bunt, Kendrick came home when Bourjos grounded out to short.
Boesch got the Tigers on the board with a two-out solo homer in the third, and an Izturis throwing error on a grounder from Johnny Damon with two on in the fourth brought Detroit within 4-2.
Fernando Rodney locked down the eighth for the visitors, then Fuentes worked around a leadoff walk by retiring the final three batters he faced.
Weaver boosted his AL-best strikeout total to 171…The Angels’ victory snapped a five-game losing streak this season to the Tigers. LA won the first two of a three-game set in Anaheim on April 19-20…Hunter and Angels manager Mike Scioscia were ejected by home plate umpire Ron Kulpa in the top of the eighth for arguing balls and strikes…Detroit fell to 5-18 since the All-Star break.