ANAHEIM, Calif. — Kendry Morales hit a game-ending grand slam in the 10th inning, but was hurt in the pileup at home plate and got carted off the field after the Los Angeles Angels beat Seattle 5-1 Saturday.
Morales connected with one out and circled the bases to a waiting celebration. But he got caught under the crush of happy teammates and needed medical attention.
Morales was waving both of his arms as he was taken away and the crowd gave him an ovation.
It was not immediately known what injury he sustained, or its severity.
Players who hit game-winning home runs often toss off their batting helmets as they head home, hoping their teammates won’t pat them too hard on the head. The victory parties at the plate are often quite exuberant.
Maicer Izturis hit a one-out double in the 10th against Brandon League (4-5). Bobby Abreu was intentionally walked and Reggie Willits followed with a grounder that was misplayed by second baseman Chone Figgins, playing his first series at Anaheim since he left for free agency.
Morales drove the next pitch to left-center for his 11th home run and the eighth game-ending slam in Angels history.
Brian Fuentes (3-1) pitched a perfect 10th for the victory.
Seattle’s Felix Hernandez took a five-hitter and a 1-0 lead into the eighth before Abreu hit a solo home run.
Hernandez came back for the ninth, but was taken out after giving up a leadoff walk to Hideki Mastsui with his 111th pitch.
Jered Weaver held the Mariners to three hits and an unearned run over seven innings and struck out six.
Angels center fielder Torii Hunter left the game with a bruised left hand after getting hit by a pitch in the first inning. The three-time All-Star and nine-time Gold Glove recipient is batting .272 with seven homers and 29 RBIs in 47 games.
The Mariners took the lead in the fourth with the help of a throwing error by shortstop Erick Aybar.
NOTES: The Mariners are 0-6 in extra innings, the only team in the majors without a victory. Last season they were 9-7. … Hernandez, who finished second in last year’s AL Cy Young voting behind Kansas City’s Zack Greinke, finished the month of May at 0-3 with a 4.79 ERA in six starts. … Angels manager Mike Scioscia used his 35th different starting lineup in 51 games, with backup C Bobby Wilson made his third career start and second since the April 23 collision with Mark Teixeira that left him with a concussion and injured left foot. … The Angels won for the first time this season when trailing after seven innings (1-23).
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
