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Angels hit parade subdues Athletics

Apr 27, 2011 - 6:10 AM Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Peter Bourjos tripled twice and finished with three of the Angels' 16 hits, which they used to push past the Athletics, 8-3, in the middle contest of a three-game series.

Howie Kendrick finished 3-for-4 with two doubles and three runs scored for the Angels, who claimed a 5-0 victory in Monday's opener. They were swept in four games against Boston prior to this series.

But Los Angeles won its second in a row thanks to the deluge of hits, which included seven for extra bases. Second baseman Alexi Amarista smacked a two-run double and added a sacrifice fly in his major league debut.

It was plenty of support for the Halos' pitching staff. Rookie starter Tyler Chatwood (2-1) allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings, while Francisco Rodriguez, Fernando Rodney and Jordan Walden held Oakland scoreless the rest of the way.

Oakland never had the chance to put the game in its bullpen's hands, after starter Brandon McCarthy (1-2) gave up seven runs and 14 hits in 5 1/3 frames. He had allowed seven earned runs in his first four starts combined.

"It seemed like everything they hit found holes, and they had a lot of hits," said A's manager Bob Geren. "Brandon was around the plate, but maybe too much around the plate."

Amarista was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday and got his first big league plate appearance in the second inning. He stepped to the plate with runners on the corners and two outs, and smacked a double to left to record his first hit and give Los Angeles a 2-0 lead.

"I was a little nervous my first at-bat, but after that I started feeling comfortable," Amarista said. "I don't feel intimidated; I enjoy the challenge."

The A's countered with three runs in the third -- David DeJesus' fielder's choice grounder got a run home, and Conor Jackson followed with a two-run homer.

But the Angels pulled back in front thanks to their unrelenting string of hits.

Bobby Abreu began the third with a single, moved to third on Torii Hunter's double, then scored on a wild pitch. Vernon Wells' base hit plated Hunter from third, though Wells was caught stealing.

However, Kendrick's two-out double continued the inning, and he scored on a Hank Conger single to make it a 5-3 game.

The Angels used a Kendrick single, Conger double and Bourjos triple to tack on two more runs in the fifth. Bourjos tripled again in the eighth and crossed the plate on Amarista's fly ball to center.

Game Notes

Chatwood allowed five hits, walked four and struck out one...Jackson's homer was his first of the season...Bourjos has four triples this season, the same number he had in 193 plate appearances in 2010.