Mariners 3, Angels 2
Felix Hernandez and Nelson Cruz continued their hot starts Monday.
Hernandez struck out eight and surrendered one run in seven innings, and Cruz hit his 14th homer as the Seattle Mariners opened a three-game series in Anaheim, Calif., with a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
Hernandez, Seattle's ace right-hander, and Angels right-hander Matt Shoemaker pitched shutouts for six innings, and then the teams turned on the power.
Nelson, the right fielder who was named AL player of the month on Monday, showed some Gold Glove defense, throwing out Mike Trout in the sixth inning after the center fielder had strayed too far off first base on a flyout by designated hitter Albert Pujols.
Nelson put Seattle up 1-0 with his leadoff homer to left field off Shoemaker in the seventh inning.
One out after Cruz's home run, first baseman Logan Morrison added a solo homer.
The Angels responded in the bottom of the seventh when Matt Joyce homered to right-center off Hernandez.
Designated hitter Seth Smith gave Seattle an insurance run in the eighth inning, nailing a one-out solo homer to right-center against Shoemaker.
In the ninth, Angels third baseman David Freese hit a solo homer against Seattle closer Fernando Rodney, but the Mariners got the final out when catcher Mike Zunino caught Collin Cowgill trying to steal second base. Rodney recorded his eighth save in nine attempts.
Hernandez (5-0) gave up six hits and walked one.
Shoemaker (2-2) gave up four hits and struck out 10 in 7 1/3 innings as he lost for the first time in his past five starts vs. the Mariners.
NOTES: The Mariners placed CF Austin Jackson on the 15-day disabled list due to a sprained right ankle suffered Sunday in Houston. ... The team also recalled SS Chris Taylor, LHP Joe Beimel and RHP Mark Lowe from Triple-A Tacoma. The Mariners had two open roster spots after sending RHP Yoervis Medina and LHP Tyler Olson to Tacoma on Sunday.