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Trumbo, Wells power Angels past Twins

Sep 4, 2011 - 5:32 AM Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Mark Trumbo hit a grand slam and Vernon Wells added a go-ahead solo homer in the fifth inning, as the Angels downed the Twins, 10-6, in the middle contest of a three-game set

A beneficiary of the offensive outburst, Jered Weaver (16-7) earned the win despite allowing six runs on eight hits over five frames. He struck out eight, walked three and tied a career-high with his 16th win of the season.

"I wasn't sharp," said Weaver. "The Twins hit some of my mistakes but our guys picked me up."

Peter Bourjos added a home run for the Angels, who had lost five of eight entering the contest. They moved 3 1/2 games behind the AL West-leading Rangers, who lost, 12-7, to the Red Sox on Saturday.

Twins starter Brian Duensing exited in the second inning with a right oblique strain and Phil Dumatrait (1-3) allowed four runs -- two earned -- in 1 1/3 innings to suffer the loss.

"I felt a little sore warming up in the bullpen before the game," said Duensing. "I've never done oblique before, hopefully I can avoid the [disabled list]. Right now we'll try to go day-to-day."

Trevor Plouffe had four RBI for the Twins, who saw their brief two-game win streak come to an end.

Trumbo's slam in the bottom of the first gave the Angels a 4-0 lead, but Weaver struggled to maintain the advantage. Danny Valencia led off the top of the second with a home run and RBI singles by Ben Revere and Plouffe later in the frame made it a 4-3 game.

Alberto Callaspo's RBI double and Erick Aybar's bases-loaded single in the second and third, respectively, pushed the Angels' lead to 6-3, but again Weaver faltered.

Tsuyoshi Nishioka and Rene Rivera singled in the top of the fourth, before Revere reached on an infield grounder to load the bases. Plouffe followed with a game-tying double to left.

Wells re-established the Angels' advantage with a two-out blast in the fifth and Bourjos added a leadoff shot an inning later. Later in the sixth, Wells' RBI single and Mike Trout's RBI double capped the scoring.

Bobby Cassevah relieved Weaver with 2 2/3 scoreless innings and Scott Downs recorded the game's final four outs.

Game Notes

Weaver also won 16 games in 2009. He is 8-1 at home this season...The Angels have won seven of their last eight home games...Aybar extended his hit streak to 13 games.