SoCal MLB Capsule

LOS ANGELES (AL) 5, MINNESOTA 4-------------------

By Jonathan Avise
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Torii Hunter, Gary Matthews Jr. and Mike Napoli homered while Ervin Santana pitched six solid innings Thursday, lifting the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to a 5-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins. The injury-plagued Angels held off the Twins to take the final three games in a season-opening four-game set.

Francisco Rodriguez picked up his second save in a tense ninth, striking out Michael Cuddyer with the go-ahead run on base. Hunter's seventh inning homer was his first as an Angel after signing a five-year, $90 million deal in the offseason. The solo blast also happened to come against the club with whom he spent the last nine seasons. Santana (1-0) allowed two runs, four hits and two walks with three strikeouts. The righthander cruised until the sixth, when Minnesota's offense sprang to life.

Twins starter Kevin Slowey (0-1) took the loss. The righthander left the game after only 3 1/3 innings due to a bicep strain. Team officials said he would be re-evaluated Friday.