Pujols Stays Hot To Lead Angels Past White Sox 6-5
CHICAGO (AP) -- Albert Pujols homered again and Howie Kendrick hit a go-ahead single in the 10th inning Saturday night that sent the Los Angeles Angels over the Chicago White Sox 6-5.
Alberto Callaspo doubled with two outs in the 10th off Matt Thornton (4-7) and scored on Kendrick's single. The Angels ended their three-game losing streak.
Kevin Youkilis homered twice for the White Sox. A.J. Pierzynski had a solo shot for the AL Central leaders.
Pujols' 24th home run was his sixth in his last five games. Mike Trout singled twice, scored two runs and scaled the wall in left-center field to rob Gordon Beckham of a home run.
Kevin Jepsen (2-1) worked a scoreless ninth. Ernesto Frieri pitched the 10th for his 13th save in 14 chances.
Pujols put the Angels ahead 5-3 with his solo homer in the seventh. Youkilis hit a tying, two-run shot off LaTroy Hawkins in the bottom half.
Youkilis also hit a solo homer in the first. He had his first multihomer game since Sept. 28, 2009, and the 10th of his career.
Pierzynski homered in his fourth straight game, matching a career best. He extended a career high with his 20th home run.
Pujols got into it with umpire crew Chief Dana DeMuth in the first after Pierzynski's foul pop down the first base line was knocked away by a fan. DeMuth ruled that the ball was in the stands and the fan was free to go for the ball, prompting a visit from Angels manager Mike Scioscia.
Pierzynski later popped out to strand runners on first and second.
Scioscia also took issue with the umpires in Friday night's 8-6 loss when the Angels filed a protest after a baserunning call went against them.
Angels starter Ervin Santana allowed three runs in six innings.
Gavin Floyd bounced back from a 41-pitch, three-run first inning to work deep into the game. He was chased by Pujols' seventh-inning homer.
Floyd had compiled a 1.62 ERA over his previous six outings.
NOTES: The White Sox bullpen had allowed only three runs in its last 33 innings of work before Thornton was touched up. ... The start of the game was delayed for 21 minutes because of to rain. ... Angels RHP Jordan Walden (strained right biceps) is scheduled to throw his first bullpen session on Monday. ... Angels LHP Scott Downs (left shoulder strain) will begin a throwing program on Monday. ... Francisco Liriano (3-10, 5.18 ERA) makes his home debut for the White Sox in the series finale on Sunday against Dan Haren (8-8, 4.59).
