Abreu homers twice, Lackey strikes out seven as Angels beat Orioles 5-2

Abreu homers twice, Angels beat Orioles 5-2

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Bobby Abreu hit two home runs, John Lackey pitched eight solid innings and the Los Angeles Angels beat the lowly Baltimore Orioles 5-2 on Thursday night.

The multihomer game was the 14th of Abreu’s career, his first as an Angel. Both his shots to right field came off Baltimore starter Jeremy Guthrie, who gave up nine hits in seven innings.

Lackey, who had a loss and a no-decision in his last two starts, got the run support he needed this time. He struck out seven and gave up two hits while only walking one against the Orioles, who are in last place in the AL East.

Luke Scott homered in the seventh to shave the deficit to three for the Orioles, who are a dismal 11-24 on the road.

That’s all the offense Baltimore would muster, though, a night after Boston retired 24 straight batters to rally from a 5-1 deficit to win in 11 innings.

Guthrie, who ranks in the top seven in the American League for home runs allowed, made it through three easy innings before giving up the homer to Abreu in the fourth.

Then the Angels broke things open.

Maicer Izturis tripled and Mike Napoli walked to put runners at the corners. Figgins drove them in two batters later to make it 2-1 and Abreu cleared the bases with his sixth homer of the season.

NOTES: Michael Trout, one of the Angels’ first-round draft picks, signed a minor-league contract with the team on Thursday. Trout, a New Jersey native and the 25th overall selection, took batting practice in front of Angels manager Mike Scioscia and took in the game with his family. … Orioles’ 3B Ty Wigginton replaced Melvin in the lineup. Mora asked for the night off after the trip to the West Coast.

(This version CORRECTS score to 5-1 in 5th graf.)