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Angels go on another extra-base binge to beat Tigers, 11-6

Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick is congratulated by teammate Chris Iannetta after hitting a two-run home run against the Tigers that drove in Albert Pujols (5) in the third inning Friday night in Detroit.
(Leon Halip / Getty Images)
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Angels 11, Detroit Tigers 6

AT THE PLATE: Ian Stewart, a late addition to the lineup when third baseman David Freese was scratched because of right quadriceps tightness, came within a home run of the cycle, hitting a run-scoring triple in the second inning, a double in the fourth and a single in the seventh. Mike Trout doubled twice, drove in two runs and scored twice, as the Angels amassed 10 or more extra-base hits in a game for the second time this week. The Angels also lead the American League with 27 homers.

ON THE MOUND: Josh Wall, called up from triple-A Salt Lake on Friday, entered with an 11-1 lead in the seventh and gave up five runs — on four hits and a walk — without retiring a batter, as the Tigers pulled to within 11-6. He is the first Angels pitcher to give up at least five runs without getting an out since Donne Wall (no relation) in Seattle on April 22, 2002. Kevin Jepsen bailed out Wall in the seventh, and Michael Kohn and Ernesto Frieri threw scoreless innings.

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IN THE FIELD: Second baseman John McDonald made a superb diving stop of Alex Avila’s seventh-inning grounder and, from his back, lobbed a throw to first for the out. Then, with two on and one out in the ninth, he alertly let Don Kelly’s soft liner toward the middle drop. McDonald scooped up the ball, stepped on second for a force out and tagged Victor Martinez between second and third for a game-ending double play.

EXTRA BASES: The Angels were not among the 20 or so teams to scout reliever Joel Hanrahan’s “showcase” in Florida on Thursday, an indication any interest they might have in the two-time All-Star, who is 11 months removed from Tommy John surgery, is tepid. . . . To make room for Wall, the Angels optioned Jose Alvarez to triple A so the left-hander can be stretched out as a starter.

UP NEXT: Left-hander C.J. Wilson (2-1, 3.92 ERA) will oppose Detroit right-hander and 2013 American League Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (0-1, 2.70 ERA) at Comerica Park on Saturday at 10 a.m. PDT. On the air: TV: FS 1; Radio: 830.

—Mike DiGiovanna

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