Angels 8, Tigers 7
DETROIT -- Albert Pujols hit a three-run homer and the Los Angeles Angels snapped a four-game losing streak by holding off the slumping Detroit Tigers 8-7 on Tuesday night at Comerica Park.
The Angels first baseman ripped his team-leading 34th home run in the first inning. Shortstop Erick Aybar contributed three hits, two runs scored and an RBI for Los Angeles (64-61), which had lost 12 of its last 13 road games.
Jered Weaver (6-9) got the victory in the opener of a nine-game road swing despite giving up six runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings. Huston Street recorded the last four outs to record his 30th save.
Designated hitter Miguel Cabrera, who extended his hitting streak to 10 games, led Detroit's attack with three hits, including a three-run double. Catcher James McCann added a two-run homer for the Tigers (59-66), who have lost five in a row.
Tigers starter Alfredo Simon (11-8) gave up eight runs on nine hits in 4 1/3 innings. He uncorked three wild pitches, each of which allowed a run to score.
McCann's two-run shot in the sixth and third baseman Nick Castellanos' RBI single in the seventh cut the Angels' lead to 8-7. Street retired first baseman Victor Martinez on a groundout with two on and two out in the eighth.
Pujols' three-run blast highlighted the Angels' four-run first. Right fielder Kole Calhoun walked and center fielder Mike Trout singled before Pujols clubbed an 0-2 pitch into the left-field stands. Left fielder Daniel Murphy followed with a double and later scored on Simon's first wild pitch.
A miscommunication helped the Tigers tie it at 4 in the third. With one on and one out, center fielder Anthony Gose lofted a fly ball to right center. Trout and Calhoun both backed away from catching it, giving Gose a gift double.
After a hit batter, Cabrera cleared the bases with a double down the left-field line. Right fielder J.D. Martinez knocked in Cabrera with a two-out single.
The Angels regained the lead at 6-4 in the fourth. The first two batters reached on singles before Simon uncorked his second wild pitch, allowing Aybar to score. Pinch hitter David DeJesus drove in the other run with a bloop single.
DeJesus batted for second baseman Grant Green, who was removed because of right knee discomfort.
The Angels made it 8-4 in the fifth on Aybar's RBI double and Simon's 11th wild pitch of the season.
NOTES: Angels 2B Johnny Giavotella was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Friday, and RHP Drew Rucinski was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake. Giavotella has a personal medical condition, according to the club. Rucinski, who has appeared in three games with the Angels this season, is 5-6 with a 5.68 ERA in 20 starts with Salt Lake. ... Tigers 2B Ian Kinsler was not in the starting lineup as manager Brad Ausmus opted to rest him. Kinsler, who has a seven-game hitting streak, is batting .385 since July 2. "If anyone deserves a day off, it's him," Ausmus said. ... Detroit was 0-54 when trailing after eight innings. ... The Angels were averaging 2.5 runs in 13 road games since the All-Star break. ... Tigers RHP Justin Verlander, who is 0-2 in his last three starts despite allowing just one earned run, opposes Angels LHP Hector Santiago on Wednesday.