Angels 4, Blue Jays 3
Albert Pujols snapped his season-long homerless streak with a two-run shot and the Angels salvaged a four-game split with the visiting Blue Jays.
After going his first 110 at-bats without a home run, Pujols hit a 2-2 slider from Drew Hutchison (1-1) in the fifth inning to give the Angels a 4-1 lead.
Angels starter Jerome Williams (3-1) allowed three runs – two earned – on eight hits over 6 2/3 innings, and LaTroy Hawkins induced a game-ending double play in the ninth inning for his first save.
Hutchison allowed four runs on eight hits with six strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings in his fourth career start.
The Blue Jays, who lost for the third time in their last nine games, cut the lead to 4-3 with runs in the sixth and seventh innings.
The heart of Toronto’s order, Jose Bautista and Adam Lind, are both hitting below .200 after going a combined 1-for-7.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Pujols’ season-opening homerless drought was the longest by anyone who entered the season with 400-plus home runs…The Blue Jays’ streak of nine straight games with a home run ended Sunday…At 45 years and 12 days, Omar Vizquel became the oldest player in major-league history to play shortstop …Angels reliever Scott Downs left the game because of a leg injury with one out in the ninth inning.