Angels 5, Tigers 1
Torii Hunter returned to the lineup with a solo home run in the first inning to spark the host Los Angeles Angels to a 5-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Monday night.
Vernon Wells also homered for Los Angeles – the fifth time he’s gone deep in his last nine games – to help the Angels notch their ninth win in 11 games and remain in a tie for first place in the American League West.
Hunter had been out of the starting lineup for two games after being hit on the hand by a pitch against the Dodgers.
The Angels added runs in the third, fifth and six innings to support starter Joel Pineiro (4-3), who picked up his first win in three starts by allowing one run on five hits in seven strong innings.
Pineiro bested Tigers spot starter Charlie Furbush (1-2), who yielded three runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings.
Pineiro had his sinker working and retired eight of the first nine hitters he faced.