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Hunter, Angels rough up Yankees

Aug 9, 2008 - 6:11 AM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Ian Kennedy was looking for a new start when he took the mound for the first time in the big leagues since May 27 on Friday. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim had a different idea.

Torii Hunter finished a triple shy of the cycle and the Angels battered Kennedy and the New York Yankees' bullpen for 17 hits en route to a 10-5 triumph in the opener of a three-game series.

The 23-year-old Kennedy, who was 3-0 with a 1.33 era in his last four starts at Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, allowed five runs and nine hits in two-plus innings after being recalled earlier in the day. He was starting in place of injured righthander Joba Chamberlain, who is on the disabled list with tendinitis in his right rotator cuff.

"(Kennedy) was up in the zone and got behind in some counts and paid for it," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "He's got work to do, and he has to turn it around and find a way to get better. He was pitching with some bad counts with runners on base and was forced to throw strikes."

Hunter put Anaheim on the board in the first inning with a two-run double, the first of his four hits, and also added a solo home run. Howie Kendrick collected four hits of his own to lead the offensive charge for the Angels, who put away the game with a four-run seventh.

"Our offense got started a while ago, and (it was) good to see it keep going," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We put pressure on every club we play and just got to keep it rolling."

A solo home run by Alex Rodriguez in the second inning cut New York's deficit to 2-1, and the Yankees took a 3-2 lead with a pair of runs in the third against Jered Weaver (10-9).

But Kennedy (0-5) was unable to record an out in the bottom of the inning. Five consecutive hits plated three more runs for the Angels and ended the night early for the righthander.

Despite the poor result, Kennedy is trying to stay positive.

"I'm not going to worry about this start too much," Kennedy said. "I've been feeling good lately and I'm just upset that I didn't give us a chance to win."

Darrell Rasner came on in relief and escaped the inning without further damage.

An RBI single in the fourth by Hunter put Anaheim ahead, 6-3, and Hunter led off the seventh with a homer, picking up his fourth RBI on the night. The Angels went on to score three more times in the frame to provide the final margin.

"The energy in the stadium was great tonight because they are the Yankees, but we just have to worry about the task at hand and win the game," Hunter said. "Right now, I am feeling great at the plate and getting some good results and helping the team any way I can. We, as a team, play together like a team, and right now, we are clicking on all cylinders."

Jose Arredondo and Scot Shields combined for three scoreless innings in relief of Weaver, who picked up the win despite allowing five runs and seven hits in six innings.

"It's fun to watch our offense right now and have to give credit to the guys who swung the bats good tonight," Weaver said. "I thought my performance was all right tonight, but for the most part, I felt good. But I wish I could've taken some pitches back that hurt me."

Rasner went 4 1/3 innings for New York, allowing three runs and five hits. Brian Bruney came on and surrendered two more runs in 1 2/3 frames.

Vladimir Guerrero collected three hits and scored three runs and Mark Teixeira went 2-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored for the Angels.

Xavier Nady had a pair of hits, including a solo homer in the sixth inning, and two RBI for the Yankees. He is hitting .386 with five home runs and 13 RBI in 10 games with New York.