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Navarro helps Rays rout Angels

Jun 10, 2008 - 5:53 AM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Dioner Navarro had a home run and four RBI on Monday night as the Tampa Bay Rays posted a 13-4 drubbing over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the opener of their three-game series.

Navarro, who is 9-for-17 during his current four-game hitting streak, logged four hits and came within a triple of the cycle, raising his average to .349 this season.

The 24-year-old catcher hit a solo home run in the second inning off Angels starter Joe Saunders (9-3) as the Rays jumped to an early 3-0 lead.

"This was a fun game tonight, and we all have been hitting well all year," Navarro said. "Hope we can continue it tomorrow."

The blast was Navarro's third of the season and the last of three consecutive home runs by Tampa Bay after rookie Evan Longoria - who finished with two - and Willy Aybar began the frame with back-to-back shots.

"The guys in the dugout were telling me that I had pressure to hit another home run," Navarro said. "But I just went up there looking for a good pitch and I got it."

The Angels responded, scoring four runs over the next three innings, taking a 4-3 lead when Torii Hunter hit a two-run homer off Rays starter Edwin Jackson (4-5) in the fourth - Anaheim's final runs of the game.

"Jackson had great stuff tonight, not just OK stuff," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "Nice to get a win on the road against a playoff-type team."

The homer was Hunter's eighth of the season and 200th career.

"It's a great feeling to reach a milestone, but it doesn't mean much since we didn't win the game," Hunter said.

Tampa Bay sealed the victory with five runs in the fifth inning, as Navarro dealt the knockout blow, driving in two runs with a double to right-center field before scoring one batter later when Gabe Gross singled to right to give the Rays an 8-4 advantage.

Saunders, who was looking to join Cliff Lee of the Cleveland Indians as the only 10-game winners in the American League this season, allowed eight runs and nine hits in just 4 2/3 innings. The lefthander, who walked two and struck out four, suffered his second loss in three starts.

"This wasn't my best start," Saunders said. "I was leaving pitches up in the zone and they are a very aggressive hitting team, and it showed tonight."

Jackson snapped a two-game losing streak of his own despite surrendering four runs and 10 hits in seven innings. He walked one and struck out two en route to his first win since May 24.

"I was really aggressive tonight," Jackson said. "This is probably the first time in my career where I've been hit this hard but held on for the win."