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Angels Hand Yankees First Series-Loss Of Season, Win 8-4
Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Kendry Morales blasted a three-run homer to help Los Angeles beat the New York Yankees, 8-4, in the rubber match of a three-game series at Angel Stadium.
Morales finished with three hits and scored twice for the Angels, who are 8-4 over their last 12 games after a 2-6 start to the season. Bobby Abreu hit a solo home run, and Brandon Wood added a two-run double in the win.
Los Angeles starter Scott Kazmir (2-1) gave up four runs on three hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings. Four relievers combined to hold the Yankees hitless the rest of the way.
"It's not the start Scott (Kazmir) wanted, but he'll be okay," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia. "The story today was our bullpen. Those guys did a terrific job."
Jorge Posada clubbed a two-run homer, and Robinson Cano had a solo smash for the Yankees, who dropped their first series of the season after winning their previous five.
Javier Vazquez (1-3) lasted just 3 2/3 innings, surrendering five runs on five hits and three walks to take the loss.
“For Vazquez, it’s more mechanics,” said New York manager Joe Girardi. “The slider he threw to Bobby (Abreu) was a little flat. He has to keep working.”
New York jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second. Kazmir plunked Cano leading off the inning and Posada crushed the next pitch over the center-field wall. Marcus Thames then doubled, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on Derek Jeter's groundout.
Abreu homered to right field off Vazquez to put Los Angeles on the board with two outs in the third. The Angels seized the lead with a four-spot in the next inning.
Morales lined a one-out single and Juan Rivera was hit by a pitch before Howie Kendrick ripped a base hit to left, scoring Morales. After Mike Napoli walked to load the bases, Wood doubled home a pair. An RBI groundout by Maicer Izturis made it 5-3.
Cano led off the sixth with a blast to right, but Morales homered off New York reliever Damaso Marte in the seventh to put the game away.
Abreu has 10 career home runs against Vazquez...Los Angeles batted 3-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left six men on base.
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