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Tigers' Power Outage Continues In 2-0 Loss To LA Angels

By Greg Beacham, AP Sports Writer

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - Yoenis Cespedes' flailing swing at Huston Street's breaking ball with the bases loaded was an appropriate symbol for the low point in the Detroit Tigers' latest offensive embarrassment.

Albert Pujols had his 530th career homer among three hits, and Hector Santiago pitched three-hit ball into the eighth inning of the Los Angeles Angels' 2-0 victory over the slumping Tigers on Friday night.

Anibal Sanchez (3-6) yielded six hits in seven strong innings for Detroit, bouncing back superbly from poor starts against Milwaukee and Houston.

But he couldn't do a thing to stop the Tigers from getting shut out for the second time in five days. Detroit has scored just six runs in its last five games while losing five of seven overall.

The Tigers squeaked out four hits — all singles — while losing for the 11th time in 12 games at the Big A.

"Nothing is happening. We're not hitting," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "It's no secret, so we've got to try to do something on the bases and try to score somehow. It's not lack of effort. It's not lack of hard work. These guys come early every day, they get all their work in, they look at their video, so you can't fault them. We're just not hitting."

Street got four outs for his 15th save, striking out Cespedes on four pitches to end the eighth.

"Eventually, we're going to get out of this and we're going to hit," said center fielder Rajai Davis, who was thrown out while trying to steal third base in the sixth. "Obviously this is not what we scripted, but it's here, so we've just got to let this make us stronger and better."

Detroit had one other frustration: Pujols scored in the fourth when Ian Kinsler misplayed Matt Joyce's bases-loaded grounder, which could have been turned into an easy inning-ending double play.

Santiago (4-3) was finally rewarded for an impressive May, getting just his second victory in his last seven starts despite yielding only five earned runs in his last 33 1-3 innings. He has been hurt by some of the majors' worst run support, but Santiago got everything he needed from Pujols, who scored both of Los Angeles' runs.

"(The Tigers) have been tough on left-handed pitchers, but I guess I'm a different left-handed pitcher," said Santiago, who struck out seven and walked three. "Everything was working. I just go to their power, wherever they think their strongest spot is, and try to hit it."

Pujols is surging after a slow start despite impressive contact on a near-nightly basis. The three-time NL MVP is 8 for 18 midway through a 10-game homestand, and his average is up to .250 after languishing below .200 in early May.

"It's a long season, so I just try to stay positive all the time and have quality at-bats," Pujols said.

One pitch after he thought he had drawn a walk in the sixth, Pujols homered for the second straight game against Detroit, lifting a full-count pitch into the bullpens beyond the left-field fence for his 10th homer. He sits four homers behind Jimmie Foxx for 17th place on baseball's career list.

SMITH HURTING

The Angels couldn't use eighth-inning reliever Joe Smith after he woke up with a stiff neck, which forced Cam Bedrosian into the game and required Street to go longer than normal. "There's just times during the season where you've got to step out of your comfort zone," Street said. "As a closer, your job is to get a save whenever a save opportunity presents itself."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Tigers: Miguel Cabrera was back in the lineup after C.J. Wilson hit him in his surgically repaired right foot Thursday.

Angels: Erick Aybar sat out with a strained hamstring. The shortstop was injured Thursday, and the Angels are hoping he won't be out long.

UP NEXT

Tigers: Shane Greene (4-3, 4.27 ERA) goes after his third victory in four starts.

Angels: Jered Weaver (3-4, 4.06 ERA) goes after his fourth win in five starts to cap an impressive May.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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