Mike Trout homers, leads Angels to 8th straight win vs. Tigers

DETROIT -- Even the loss of their scheduled starter couldn't derail the Los Angeles Angels against the Detroit Tigers.

Mike Trout homered and drove in three runs, and Erick Aybar's two-run shot gave Los Angeles the lead for good as the Angels beat Detroit 7-4 on Wednesday night for their eighth consecutive win over the Tigers.

The Angels have outscored the Tigers 55-21 during the streak.

"If we knew what we were doing differently (against Detroit), we'd probably try to do it against everybody else," catcher Mark Iannetta said.

The Angels (35-43) and desperately trying to remain within hailing distance of Texas and Oakland in the A.L. West.

Miguel Cabrera and former Angels outfielder Torii Hunter homered for Detroit.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland doesn't think the streak has anything to do with how the teams match up.

"I don't really believe in that," he said. "It's another team that's a good team, and they've been swinging the bats very well lately. They're like everybody else. When they pitch good, they win games."

Emergency Angels starter Billy Buckner gave up three runs and three hits in three- plus innings. He replaced Tommy Hanson, who was scratched after feeling tightness in his right forearm while warming up in the bullpen before the game.

"He's going to be evaluated and have some tests done (Thursday) and we'll see what's going on," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said of Hanson.

Buckner was pulled in favor of Dane De La Rosa after walking Jhonny Peralta and allowing Andy Dirks' infield single to lead off the fourth.

De La Rosa (2-1) got two quick outs before walking Austin Jackson to load the bases. But he fanned Hunter to end the inning with Detroit ahead 3-2. De La Rosa allowed a hit in two innings.

"Torii is especially tough with runners in scoring position. He's tough," Scioscia said. "That's a big out right there."

Scott Downs and Michael Kohn combined for two scoreless innings, and Kevin Jepsen gave up an unearned run on catcher Iannetta's passed ball in the eighth. Ernesto Frieri pitched a scoreless ninth for his 18th save in 20 chances.

"For our bullpen to respond the way they did ... Buckner did what he could," Scioscia said. "The bullpen came in and gave us six strong innings."

Detroit starter Jose Alvarez (1-1) allowed four runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. He left the game after giving up Aybar's two-run homer with two outs in the sixth that put Los Angeles ahead 4-3.

Just after pitching coach Jeff Jones went to the mound, Aybar lofted Alvarez's first pitch just over the fence in left for his third homer, scoring Iannetta, who had singled with two out.

The Tigers were trying to get one last out from Alvarez, who was made his third major league start, because of their struggling bullpen.

"If he just kept him in the ballpark, gets a base hit, we had (Drew) Smyly set for (Brendan) Harris as we did anyway. We asked a lot of him," Leyland said. "He got the first two quick outs and then of course base hit and the home run. He did a terrific job. It wasn't his fault. He was a little spent, there's no question about that."

Los Angeles added three in the seventh against Smyly on Trout's RBI double, Josh Hamilton's groundout and Alberto Callaspo's run-scoring single.

The Tigers took a 2-0 lead in the first on back-to-back homers by Hunter and Cabrera.

Hunter, who played for the Angels the previous five seasons before signing a two-year contract with Detroit, drove Buckner's 3-2 pitch into the left-center field stands for his fourth home run.

Cabrera then lined a 2-0 pitch over the fence in left for his 22nd home run and second in two days. He extended his hitting streak to 11 games.

Victor Martinez doubled with two outs but was stranded when Peralta sent Trout to the warning track in left-center to haul in his drive.

Trout tied it with a two-run homer in the third. After J.B. Shuck led off with a double, Trout sent Alvarez's 2-1 pitch over the fence in left for his 13th homer.

Prince Fielder's run-scoring single gave Detroit a 3-2 lead in the third. His liner to right brought home Hunter, who led off with a double.