Angels 4, Tigers 2
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Second baseman Johnny Giavotella hit a two-run single in the eighth inning to give the Los Angeles Angels a 4-2 win over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday night in front of 37,143 at Angel Stadium.
The Angels earned their fourth win in a row and fifth in seven games while handing the Tigers their fourth consecutive loss and seventh in nine games.
Los Angeles broke a 2-all tie in the eighth against left-hander David Price. Third baseman David Freese began the inning by drawing a walk and was replaced by pinch runner Kirk Nieuwenhuis. Catcher Chris Iannetta followed with an infield single, and right fielder Kole Calhoun sacrificed both runners into scoring position.
Price walked first baseman Grant Green to load the bases, then made pinch-hitter Carlos Perez pop out before being relieved by right-hander Joba Chamberlain. Giavotella hit a single up the middle to bring Nieuwenhuis and Iannetta home.
Right-hander Joe Smith (2-2) pitched a perfect eighth inning with one strikeout to earn the win. Right-handed closer Huston Street pitched a perfect ninth with a strikeout for his 17th save.
Price (4-2) threw a season-high 121 pitches in 7 2/3 innings. The left-hander retired 11 of the first 12 batters he faced and conceded his first hit with two out in the fourth. Price allowed four runs, eight hits and three walks while striking out six.
Detroit had a chance to break the tie in the top of the seventh inning after loading the bases with two out. Shortstop Jose Iglesias lined a single before second baseman Ian Kinsler and first baseman Miguel Cabrera walked. But right-handed reliever Cam Bedrosian induced left fielder Yoenis Cespedes to fly out.
The Tigers took a 1-0 lead against Los Angeles starter Matt Shoemaker in the top of the second inning. With one out, right fielder J.D. Martinez hit a ground ball up the middle. Giavotella speared the ball, pivoted and threw across his body from the shortstop side of second base, but Martinez beat the throw.
Designated hitter Tyler Collins followed with a double down the right field line to send Martinez to third base. Catcher James McCann then hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Martinez, giving Detroit its first lead at any point of the four-game series.
Los Angeles moved ahead with two runs in the bottom of the fifth against Price, who retired 11 of the first 12 batters he faced and conceded his first hit with two outs in the fourth.
Green led off with a single, took third base when Giavotella hit a double down the right field line and score the tying run on shortstop Erick Aybar's single. Center fielder Mike Trout gave the Angels a 2-1 lead when he lined a single into left field to score Giavotella.
Detroit tied the score 2-2 in the top of the sixth. First baseman Miguel Cabrera began the inning with a single, took second on a passed ball and scored when Giavotella threw Cespedes' ground ball past first base for an error.
NOTES: DH Victor Martinez will resume training with the Tigers on Tuesday at Comerica Park. Martinez, who has been rehabilitating at his home in Orlando, Fla., has been on the 15-day disabled list since May 19 with inflammation in his left knee. No date for Martinez's return has been set. ... Tigers RHP Justin Verlander (triceps) made his first appearance of the season Sunday in a rehab assignment for Triple-A Toledo. In 2 2/3 innings, Verlander allowed three runs, six hits and two walks while striking out three. ... Los Angeles SS Erick Aybar returned to the lineup after missing the previous two games with a tight left hamstring. ... Angels DH Albert Pujols will remain in that position for the foreseeable future because of a strained groin, manager Mike Scioscia said. Pujols sustained the injury in Friday night's 2-0 win over the Tigers. INF Grant Green replaced Pujols at first base Sunday.