Angels 8 - 5 Twins
Final
  for this game

Pujols leads Angels past Twins

Sep 7, 2014 - 4:21 AM Minneapolis, MN (SportsNetwork.com) - Albert Pujols reached a milestone with a go-ahead, two-run double in the top of the ninth inning and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim posted an 8-5 victory over the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.

Pujols added a solo home run and Howie Kendrick had four hits with three RBI for the AL West-leading Angels, who will look to complete a four-game sweep on Sunday.

Minnesota starter Phil Hughes was in line to become the AL's first 16-game winner when he left, but reliever Casey Fien failed to protect a 5-3 lead. Fien gave up a Kendrick RBI triple off the center-field wall and an Erick Aybar sacrifice fly in the eighth inning.

The Angels then moved ahead on Pujols' 2,500th career hit. With two outs, Pujols sent a Jared Burton (2-5) pitch down the left-field line and into the corner. Kendrick tacked on a run-scoring single before closer Huston Street covered first base to complete a game-ending double play.

Joe Smith (7-2) picked up the win after stranding two runners in the eighth.

"We've been down our share of games and been able to come back. One thing I think when our guys are swinging the bats well, which we've seen this series, it's going to give you a chance to grind it out if you stay close," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia.

The Angels jumped on Hughes, scoring a run in each of the first three innings. The right-hander, however, didn't allow a hit over his final four innings of work.

"Early in the game, it didn't look like he had his best stuff and he kind of work his way through it," Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said about Hughes.

Eduardo Escobar tied the game at 2-2 in the second with a two-run homer off Cory Rasmus, who was making the spot start for Los Angeles.

Rasmus recorded only five outs.

After Pujols and Chris Parmelee traded solo home runs in the third, Aaron Hicks hit a two-run single in the fourth to put Minnesota on top.

Game Notes

Pujols scored his 1,500th career run ... Minnesota's Danny Santana left in the second inning with a lower back strain ... The Angels are 6-0 against the Twins this season.






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