Orioles 6, Angels 2
J.J. Hardy and Mark Reynolds homered to highlight a five-run first inning, and rookie Zach Britton tossed seven solid frames as the Baltimore Orioles put a crimp in the Los Angeles Angels' bid for the postseason with a 6-2 home triumph Saturday.
The victory was Baltimore's second straight over Los Angeles, which mustered just four hits to fall 4 1/2 games behind American League West-leading Texas. The Rangers defeated the Seattle Mariners, 7-6, Saturday.
After Hardy belted a two-run homer, Reynolds went deep for the second consecutive game with a three-run shot as Baltimore cruised to its fourth straight win.
The offense was more than enough for Britton (10-10), who allowed one run on three hits and struck out a season-high seven batters to collect his fourth win in five decisions.
Ervin Santana (11-12) has dropped three straight after winning eight of his previous nine decisions. Santana permitted five runs on as many hits in seven innings to take the loss.
Vernon Wells had an RBI triple in the ninth for Los Angeles, which fell for the fifth time in 13 games.