Torii Hunter recovered from a nasty crash into a wall to drive in three runs and lift the Los Angeles Angels to a 10-7 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in their three-game interleague series on Sunday.
Hunter, making a catch off a long drive from the Dodgers’ Matt Kemp in the fourth inning, was laid out on the ground for several minutes after slamming into the center field wall.
After being attended by manager Mike Scioscia and two trainers, the 33-year-old outfielder got to his feet and promptly carved out an RBI single in the sixth and a two-run single in the seventh before leaving the game.
PHOTO: AP
“You have to give him [Hunter] credit,” Scioscia said. “After he caught his breath he said, ‘I’m playing.’ His leg became stiff later.”
The Angels overcame a 4-0 second inning deficit and scored three ninth inning runs as part of 16-hit attack to beat the Dodgers (30-15) for the second time in three days.
Rookie pitcher Jason Bulger (2-1) earned the victory, retiring all four batters he faced after replacing starter Matt Palmer in the fifth inning.
Bulger gave Hunter the credit for the win.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Bulger (2-1) said. “He goes out and sacrifices his body every day. He crashes into that wall today and comes back and gets a big hit later. Every single day, he seems to do something that tops the last one.”
Juan Rivera had three hits and drove in two runs and Kendry Morales added two hits and two RBI’s for the Angels.
Jamie Hoffman had two hits, including a three-run homer, and drove in four runs in just his third major league game and first start for the Dodgers, who hold the best win-loss record in the major leagues this season.
Casey Blake added three hits and scored twice for the losers.
Dodgers manager Joe Torre brushed off the loss.
“We’re still obviously a good team,” Torre said. “We’re a confident bunch.”
Chad Billingsley (6-2) took the loss, allowing five runs and nine hits in six innings.
RED SOX 12, METS 5
Kevin Youkilis hit a three-run homer two innings after his long foul ball was upheld by a replay review as the Boston Red Sox avoided being swept at home for the first time this season with a win over the New York Mets in interleague play on Sunday.
Mike Lowell also had a three-run shot and Nick Green had a tiebreaking two-run single. J.D. Drew went 4 for 5 as the Red Sox rebounded from a rough loss on Saturday when Omir Santos’ replay-reversed homer against closer Jonathan Papelbon gave the Mets a 3-2 win.
Boston rallied with three runs to take a 6-5 edge against starter Tim Redding (0-1) in the fifth. George Kottaras’ RBI double chased Redding before Green singled home two runs on the first pitch from reliever Sean Green.
Jason Bay had an RBI single before Drew added a run-scoring double in the sixth. Youkilis homered against Brian Stokes, capping a four-run seventh.
PHILLIES 4, YANKEES 3, 11 INNS
At New York, Carlos Ruiz hit a two-out RBI double in the 11th inning as Philadelphia overcame another blown save by Brad Lidge to beat the New York Yankees.
Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino and Raul Ibanez each drove in a run for Philadelphia, and Ruiz neatly blocked the plate to stop Johnny Damon from scoring early.
Sunday’s other interleague results:
• Rangers 5, Astros 0
• Nationals 8, Orioles 5
• Marlins 5, Rays 4, 11 innings
• Rockies 3, Tigers 1
• Reds 4, Indians 3, 11 innings
• Pirates 4, White Sox 3
• Royals 3, Cardinals 2
• Braves 10, Blue Jays 2
• Mariners 5, Giants 4
• Athletics 6, Diamondbacks 2
• Twins 6, Brewers 3
Sunday’s National League result:
• Padres 9, Cubs 0
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