In the first game of their 10-game road trip, the Angels got a brilliant pitching performance by Ervin Santana and some timely, bases loaded hitting from Vernon Wells as the Angels beat the Orioles 6-1.
Santana (5-8) took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before giving up a one-out double to #9 hitter Blake Davis. Santana then retired the next 6 batters before giving up a walk, an infield single and a run-scoring base hit to JJ Hardy that cut the Angels lead to 2-1.
Hisanori Takahashi relieved Santana and induce Nick Markakis into an inning ending groundout. Takahashi pitched a perfect ninth with two strikeouts to earn his first American League save.
The Angels’ 6-1 win is the first against Baltimore since August 17, 2009 and the third straight since losing three-in-a-row earlier in the week.
The Angels broke the 0-0 tie in the 7th with doubles by Mike Trout, Maicer Izturis and Torii Hunter to take a 2-0 lead. However, the big blow of the night came off of the bat of Vernon Wells in the ninth. After two walks and an error loaded the bases, Wells blasted a Kevin Gregg pitch to straight-away center field for the first Angel grand slam of the season.
Santana allowed 3 hits and one run over 7.1 innings, while striking out one and walking one. It was Santana’s 7th consecutive start in which he has allowed 3 runs or less, yet he only has two wins to show for it.
Wells ended the night with three hits and 4 RBI in five at-bats. Rookie center fielder Mike Trout had his first multi-hit game of his short career with a single and double in four at-bats.