Norris shines, Tigers pound Angels, 9-1

Daniel Norris ended a seven-decision losing streak by throwing five scoreless innings, Jake Rogers, Brandon Dixon and Gordon Beckham hit home runs and the Detroit Tigers beat the Los Angeles Angels 9-1 Wednesday afternoon in Anaheim, Calif.

Dixon and Beckham combined for four hits and seven RBIs, as the Tigers won the rubber match of a three-game series that they entered on a six-game losing streak.

Mike Trout's American League-leading 35th homer of the season in the sixth inning was the only offense the Angels could muster, as they managed five hits against Norris and four relievers.

The Tigers' lead was 4-1 heading into the eighth inning, when Dixon hit a two-run homer and Beckham a three-run homer to put the game away.

Detroit scored twice in the third inning against Angels starter Jose Suarez to take an early lead. Rogers, in his second major league game after making his debut on Tuesday, homered to lead off the inning.

One out later, JaCoby Jones walked and went to second on a balk. After a groundout, Niko Goodrum followed with a single to right field, and Jones barely beat right fielder Kole Calhoun's throw, avoiding the tag of catcher Jonathan Lucroy.

Lucroy, making his first appearance since recovering from a broken nose and concussion -- the result of a home-plate collision with the Astros' Jake Marisnick on July 7 -- appeared to hesitate before making a tag attempt.

Suarez (2-2) pitched into the fifth inning, but when the Tigers loaded the bases with one out, he was replaced by reliever Trevor Cahill. Cahill got the second out on a popout to shallow left, but Dixon followed with a two-out single to drive in two and increase Detroit's lead to 4-0.

The Angels broke through in the sixth against Tigers reliever Nick Ramirez. That's when Trout hit a 79 mph changeup on a 2-1 count over the fence in center.

The last win for Norris (3-8) was May 12 against Minnesota.

--Field Level Media