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Wells hits go-ahead HR in sixth as Angels down Nats

Jun 29, 2011 - 6:37 AM Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Vernon Wells went 4-for-5 and belted a go- ahead, two-run homer in the sixth inning to lead the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to an 11-5 victory over the Washington Nationals in the middle contest of a three-game set.

Hank Conger added a two-run homer of his own and Erick Aybar tacked on a solo shot. Mark Trumbo went 2-for-5 with three RBI for the Angels, who have won seven of their last nine.

Laynce Nix went 4-for-4 with a home run for the Nationals, who spoiled manager Davey Johnson's debut with a 4-3, 10th-inning loss in Monday's series opener.

Collin Balester (1-1) surrendered Wells' decisive blast.

The Nats took a 1-0 lead in the first courtesy of a Ryan Zimmerman single, which plated Jayson Werth.

The Angels answered in the fourth, as Aybar's two-out double plated Trumbo and knotted the game at one apiece.

With one down in the fifth, Wells and Howie Kendrick singled before Alberto Callaspo walked to load the bases. Trumbo then rolled a grounder towards short. In his haste to turn the inning-ending double play, Ian Desmond allowed the ball to bounce off the heel of his glove and roll into the outfield, as Wells and Kendrick scored, giving the Angels a 3-1 lead.

"They hit the ball hard," said Johnson. "When the balls are smoked like that it's tough. The infield was fast and a little rough."

Trumbo returned the favor in the sixth with a crucial error, but not before Nix belted a solo homer and Matt Stairs tied the game with a single between third and short off of reliever Hisanori Takahashi.

Later in the frame, the Nationals loaded the bases with two down and Bernadina slapped a grounder to first. Trumbo charged the ball awkwardly and it deflected off his glove, as Wilson Ramos and Stairs crossed the plate to give the Nationals a 5-3 advantage.

Through with the small ball antics, Aybar belted a solo shot to lead off the home half of the sixth, chasing Jason Marquis from the game. Balester promptly allowed a single to Torii Hunter and two batters later, Wells sent a shot into the seats in left-center to put the Angels back on top.

"I'm trying to get pitches to hit and let my hands do the work," said Wells. "It was good to see some fireworks tonight."

The blast made a winner of Takahashi (2-1).

The Nationals appeared poised to respond once again in the seventh, loading the bases with one out, but Bobby Cassevah induced Wilson Ramos into an inning-ending double play.

The Angels added insurance in the eight as Callaspo plated Wells with a single to left and Trumbo blasted a two-run double to left-center. Conger added a two-run homer to right for good measure.

Game Notes

Wells has six home runs in his last 13 starts ...The Angels have won five consecutive series...The Angels have also won 16 consecutive games when scoring four or more runs, the longest such streak in the majors this season.