Angels use 16-hit attack to avoid three-game sweep vs. M's

SEATTLE (AP) -- While the Los Angeles Angels avoided a series sweep, the Mariners once again showed they can't avoid injuries.

Jeff Mathis hit a two-run homer to lead a 16-hit attack, and Joe Saunders had another solid start to help the Angels beat the banged-up Mariners 10-5 on Sunday.

"The plane ride would have been a lot worse," Saunders said. "It would have been pretty hard having to win both in Texas just to get a 2-3 record on this roadtrip. So to get a win and not get swept is big."

The Mariners, who won the first two games 8-5 and 8-3, scratched starting pitcher Erik Bedard before the game because of inflammation in his left hip. The Mariners expect to find out in a throwing session Monday whether Bedard can return to the mound next week. The injury isn't expected to be serious.

Seattle also played without third baseman Adrian Beltre, out with a sore hamstring sustained running the bases on Saturday. Right fielder Mike Morse injured his left shoulder diving for a double by Mathis in the sixth on Sunday and said he would have an MRI exam, and closer J.J. Putz remains on the disabled list.

"We'll huddle up and see where we are," Seattle manager John McLaren said of the injuries. "We have some decisions to make. We've got to find out about Mike and we have a few things to talk about."

Saunders (2-0) pitched 5 1/3 innings in his third straight solid start. He gave up two runs on six hits with three walks and one strikeout. Saunders pitched eight innings in his first two starts this season and gave up only one earned run.

"He threw a lot of pitches and made some pitches to get out of jams," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "For not having good stuff, he showed a lot and kept battling."

Right-hander Cha Seung Baek (0-1) made his first start of the season in place of Bedard. Baek allowed seven hits and four runs in 4 1/3 innings with two walks and two strikeouts. Baek pitched one inning of relief in his only other appearance this season.

The Angels scored twice in the third and fifth and three each in the sixth and seventh.

Mathis had three hits, including a two-run homer in the seventh, and Howie Kendrick and Casey Kotchman also had three hits apiece for Los Angeles.

Kendrick left the game with a strained left hamstring running out his second double of the game in the seventh, when he thought about trying for a triple but pulled up. Kendrick said he will know more about the injury Monday when he sees how the leg feels.

"I'll have to listen to the trainers to see what I can and can't do," Kendrick said.

Kotchman was 8-for-12 in the series after a 3-for-23 start to the season.

"They had my back today and were swinging the bats great," Saunders said of his teammates. "From the middle innings on we figured their pitcher out."

Vladimir Guerrero had a two-run double in the third and Gary Matthews Jr. added a two-run single in the sixth off Seattle reliever Eric O'Flaherty, who gave up six runs on eight hits.

Jose Vidro, Jose Lopez and Raul Ibanez each had two hits to lead Seattle. Ibanez had a two-run double and three RBIs. The Mariners had loaded the bases in the second when Jamie Burke hit into an inning-ending double play.

Matthews Jr., who had a fielding error on Saturday, ran in for a diving catch to take a hit away from Morse in the fourth with two outs and a runner on first.

Francisco Rodriguez pitched the ninth in relief for the Angels in his first appearance since he sprained his right ankle April 6.

Game notes
Miguel Cairo made his first start of the season in place of Beltre, who is listed as day to day. ... Angels CF Torii Hunter didn't start because of a bruised toe. He expects to play Monday. ... John Lackey threw a bullpen session Sunday for the Angels. He is on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right triceps. ... Putz threw for about 6 minutes before the game. A decision could be made on his return after a Monday meeting. Putz is on the 15-day DL with inflammation near his ribs.