LA Angels beat Seattle 8-4, move to edge of playoff position

Albert Pujols and C.J. Cron hit home runs and Mike Trout had three hits as the Angels scored eight runs on 14 hits.

The Los Angeles Angels are closing in on the sinking Houston Astros as the race for the second American League wild-card spot heats up.

But he came up big Friday, collecting two hits, scoring two runs and driving in two for just the second time since July 20. But once Richards got out of the second by striking out three straight with runners on second and third, the momentum took a huge swing.

Minnesota at Detroit, 4 p.m. They’re 14-8 in September, with six wins in eight games.

Erick Aybar opened the Angels’ first by pulling Nuno’s first pitch into the left-field corner for a double.

It was Cruz’s 43rd homer of the season, which extended his career high and tied him with former Baltimore teammate Chris Davis for the major league lead.

But the Angels evened it on Nuno’s first seven pitches, and they took a three-run lead after seven more. Seattle slugger Nelson Cruz has slowed down with one homer and two RBIs over his last 10 games and traditionally struggles (4-for-22) against scheduled Angels starter Garrett Richards.

“They’re fighting for a wild card spot, and they hit the ball good in the first inning”, Nuno said. Then Pujols, I was trying to go in, and I missed my spot.

“It’s right where you want to be, definitely”, Pujols said. “We just couldn’t get the big hit to put us over the hump”.

They added one more in the fourth inning on a Johnny Giavotella single, another in the sixth on a Giavotella triple, and two in the seventh, when Cron powered an inside curveball to the opposite field for a two-run home run. Friday marked the 51st anniversary of Dean Chance becoming the first pitcher in Angels’ history to win 20 games and the 36th anniversary of the Angels winning their first division title. He has four homers off Felix, including one in Hernandez’s last start against the Angels. On Thursday, McClendon announced plans to shut down Taijuan Walker because his innings workload and then, a few hours later, saw James Paxton exit a start in Kansas City after 1 1/3 innings because of a torn fingernail.

After a a href=http://www.valleybaynews.com/2015/09/25/johnny-giavotella-returns-from-fourth-nerve-palsy-with-some-help-from-mom/ month’s absence from the Angels lineup due to Fourth Nerve Palsy /a , Giavotella took to the field at Angel Stadium and did what he’s done best all season.

“When I first got here today, there was a buzz in the locker room,” said Giavotella. “It’s nice to be able to see again”.

The Angels give the ball to Andrew Heaney (6-3, 3.30), who is 1-3 with a 4.42 ERA over his last 10 starts but has been much better of late.

Mariners: Felix Hernandez (18-9, 3.54 ERA) needs a victory to keep alive his shot at his first 20-win season.