Sat Apr 19 01:00:38 2008

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Hunter's big night robs M's of a win

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Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - The acquisition of Torii Hunter continues to pay dividends for the Angels.

Hunter tied a team record with three doubles, drove in three runs and robbed Richie Sexson of the go-ahead homer, possibly his third round-tripper of the night, to record the final out of the game, as Los Angeles beat Seattle, 5-4 in the opener of a three-game series.

Hunter played despite being involved in a car accident before the game. His new Bentley was rear-ended at a stop light near the stadium before the game.

Joe Saunders (3-0) threw eight solid innings, allowing six hits and four runs to get the victory. Francisco Rodriguez closed the door for his seventh save, as the Angels won for the fifth time in six games.

R.A. Dickey (0-1) was charged with eight hits and five runs over six innings and suffered the loss.

Sexson had a three-run homer and a solo shot, but the Mariners had a three- game winning streak snapped.

Signed to a five-year, $90 million deal in the offseason, Hunter showed off his expert defense that's won him seven straight Gold Glove awards.

Adrian Beltre singled with one out in the ninth, and after Jose Vidro flied out, Sexson sent a ball to deep center. Hunter backed up and leaped to pull the ball back in play and end the game in incredible fashion.

Beltre doubled, Vidro singled and Sexson blasted a homer to left in the seventh go get the Mariners within a run.

Things got ugly in the bottom of the inning though as reliever Sean Green hit Chone Figgins and Vladimir Guerrero with pitches. Both benches were warned after Green's pitch hit a crouching Guerrero in the helmet.

Before that it was a case of Hunter's clutch hitting that put the Angels in front. Los Angeles loaded the bases in the first inning and Hunter cleared them with a double to left, but was cut down at the plate.

Sexson homered to left in the second, but the Angels increased their lead to 5-1 in the sixth thanks to RBI singles from Maicer Izturis and Mike Napoli.

Game Notes

The Angels have won 12 of the last 15 at home against the Mariners...Seattle left just two men on base and went 2-for-2 with runners in scoring position...LA was 3-for-12 in a similar situation and had seven left on base.