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Angels capitalize on bases-loaded walk to beat Orioles, 3-2

Angels shortstop Erick Aybar is congratulated by his teammates after scoring the go-ahead run in the eighth inning of the team's 3-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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KEY MOMENT: Trailing, 2-1, Josh Hamilton led off the eighth inning with a single to right field against reliever Tommy Hunter and scored on Erick Aybar’s double to left-center field for a 2-2 tie. Howie Kendrick and David Freese struck out, Aybar stealing third during Freese’s at-bat. Efren Navarro was walked intentionally, Chris Iannetta walked to load the bases, and left-handed-hitting Kole Calhoun drew a walk against left-hander Brian Matusz to force in the winning run.

AT THE PLATE: During a five-game winning streak before the All-Star break, the Angels hit .337 with 41 runs (8.2 average) and hit .431 (22 for 51) with runners in scoring position. In six games since, they have hit .222 (51 for 230) while scoring 18 runs (3.0 average) and hitting .153 (nine for 59) with runners in scoring position, including 0 for 12 Wednesday night. They took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Mike Trout reached on a one-out infield single and scored from first base on Albert Pujols’ single off the right-field wall.

ON THE MOUND: Jered Weaver gave up two runs and six hits in eight innings, striking out six and walking none, to improve to 11-6 with a 3.36 earned-run average this season and get his career home record in July to 17-1. Huston Street, acquired from San Diego on Friday, struck out two in a scoreless ninth for his first save as an Angel.

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ROSTER MOVE: Utility infielder Grant Green, who is hitting .313 in 31 games, was put on the 15-day disabled list because of a lumbar strain, an injury he suffered working out in the weight room. First baseman-designated hitter C.J. Cron, who was hitting .269 with nine home runs and 27 runs batted in but was in a three-for-26 slump when he was demoted to triple A on Saturday, was recalled.

EXTRA BASES: Thursday night starter Garrett Richards is 7-0 with a 1.25 ERA in his last nine starts, limiting opponents to a .158 batting average, striking out 70 and walking 17 in 64 2/3 innings.

UP NEXT: Right-hander Richards (11-2, 2.47 ERA) will oppose Detroit right-hander Max Scherzer (11-3, 3.34) on Thursday at Angel Stadium at 7 p.m. On the air: TV: FS West. Radio: 830.

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