Kendry Morales was 3-for-3 with three RBI, and Brandon Wood delivered a clutch two-run double to lead Los Angeles to an 8-4 triumph over New York on Sunday at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. New York dropped their first series of the season after winning their first five. Los Angeles improved to 19-8 at home against the Yankees dating back to the 2006 season.
For the second time in the series, the Yankees were unable to hold an early lead. In the top of the second, Jorge Posada hit his fourth home run of the season, a two-run blast over the center field wall. Later in the inning, Marcus Thames scored on Derek Jeter’s fielder’s choice RBI to give New York a 3-0 lead. The Yankees also had a 3-1 lead after the top of the second in Friday’s 6-4 loss.
The Angels responded with five unanswered runs off Yankees starter Javier Vasquez (1-3). In the third, Vasquez struck out the side, but yielded a solo home run to Bobby Abreu. It was his 10th career home run against Vasquez.
Los Angeles grabbed the lead in the bottom of the fourth. With runners at first and second and one out, Morales scored on Howie Kendrick’s RBI single. After Mike Napoli walked to load the bases, Wood, who was batting .100 coming into the at bat, lined a two-run double to give the Angels a 4-3 lead. Maicer Izturis followed with an RBI groundout that chased Vasquez from the game. Vasquez allowed five runs on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts in 3.2 innings.
New York closed the deficit to one on Robinson Cano’s leadoff home run in the top of the sixth off Los Angeles starter Scott Kazmir (2-1). It was Cano’s third home run in six games against the Angels. However, it was also the last hit for the Yankees. Kazmir and four relievers limited New York to a season-low three hits. All three Yankees hits were extra-base hits, two home runs and a double.
Los Angeles added some insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh. After Yankees reliever Damaso Marte issued a walk and hit a batter, Morales homered over the left centerfield wall to increase the Angels lead to 8-4. Morales was 7-for-10 with two home runs and six RBIs in the series.
New York will spend their Monday off day in Washington, D.C., which includes a visit with President Barack Obama at the White House, to celebrate their 2009 world championship. The Yankees will return to the diamond on Tuesday in Baltimore. Phil Hughes (2-0, 2.19) will start for New York, while Baltimore will counter with Kevin Millwood (0-3, 3.38). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET.
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