Ervin Santana’s strong outing lifts Angels over Tribe

Anaheim, CA, United States (4E Sports) – The Angels gained ground in the standings thanks to a rejuvenated Ervin Santana, who pitched seven strong innings to lead Los Angeles past the Cleveland Indians 8-4 Wednesday night, in the series finale at Angel Stadium.

The Angels won back-to-back games and a series for the first time since July.

It marked one of the best games this season for the Angels by Santana (6-10), who allowed a run on four hits in seven frames.

The 29-year-old right-hander, whose only other triumph over the Indians was a no-hitter at Cleveland on July 27, 2011, struck out four and issued a lone walk Wednesday.

Santana, who improved to 2-8 in 14 career starts versus the Indians, was pitching a shutout heading into the sixth before posting his only blemish — a double by Asdrubal Cabrera that scored Ezequiel Carrera in the inning.

Santana left with an 8-1 lead, but Shin-Soo Choo smacked a three-run homer, his 14th this season, off Jason Isringhausen before Kevin Jepsen dashed any late rally by closing it out with a perfect ninth.

Santana got more than ample support, with Kendrys Morales collecting three hits and Mike Trout and Chris Iannetta each smacking a homer for the Angels, who put the game away in the second inning when they batted around the order, scoring five runs on five hits and three Cleveland miscues.

Vernon Wells and Iannetta each knocked in two runs for the Angels, who decided to give All-Star slugger Albert Pujols a night off.

Cleveland starter Roberto Hernandez (0-1), formerly known as Fausto Carmona, looked sharp and efficient following four minor-league starts while serving a three-week suspension from MLB, but the Angels took advantage of his rustiness, which eventually showed, along with three Indians errors in the second frame.

Hernandez, who played the first six years of his career under the identity of Fausto Carmona, gave up 10 hits and eight runs (five earned) over six innings.

The victory moved the Angels to a second-place tie with the Athletics. The Angels (62-56, 33-25 home) are six games back of first-place Rangers in the AL West.

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