Matt Palmer gave up a single to the game's first batter Wednesday and Los Angeles Angels' pitchers did not allow another hit in blanking Texas 5-0. Julio Borbon singled off Palmer to open the contest and was promptly thrown out trying to steal second.

Torii Hunter hit a two-run homer and Bobby Abreu drove in three runs Friday, helping the Los Angeles Angels outslug San Diego 11-6 in inter-league play. The teams combined for 30 hits, 18 of them coming from the Angels while they were snapping a two-game skid. Hunter's home run came in the first inning after Abreu had already driven in a run with a single.

Mike Napoli helped erase a four-run deficit with a three-run homer in the third inning Wednesday and the Los Angeles Angels went on to down Boston 8-4. The Angels won for the eighth time in 11 games, with Matt Palmer rebounding from a rough start to go the distance. Palmer (4-0) gave up a two-run homer to Jason Bay in the first inning and was touched for two more runs in the second.

Matt Palmer and three relievers held Kansas City to four hits Friday and the Los Angeles Angels downed Kansas City 4-1 to end the Royals' six-game win streak. Palmer (3-0) gave up a run on two hits over 5 1/3 innings and then got relief help from Darren Oliver, Jose Arredondo and Brian Fuentes.

By David Schoetz, Cape Cod Times, Hyannis, Mass. Dec.