ANAHEIM, Calif., June 3 (UPI) -- Vladimir Guerrero belted two homers and drove in a club-record nine runs as the Angels swept a two-game series with the Boston Red Sox with a 10-7 triumph.
After shocking the baseball world by winning the world championship in 2002, the Angels regressed last season, finishing 19 games off the pace in the American League West Division.
Signed to a five-year, $70 million contract, Guerrero has been a major reason for Anaheim's strong start. The 28-year-old outfielder entered Wednesday's game among the AL leaders in average, home runs and RBI, leading the Angels to a 31-20 record and a 2 1/2-game division lead.
The amazing display by Guerrero erased a dismal effort by Anaheim starter Jarrod Washburn, who allowed seven runs and nine hits in just 3 1/3 innings. After becoming the first AL pitcher to reach seven wins, Washburn is 0-2 in his last three starts.
Despite the subpar outing, Boston's Pedro Martinez recorded his 2,500th career strikeout when he fanned Casey Kotchman in the third inning. The four strikeouts moved him into a tie with Christy Mathewson for 25th place on the all-time list with 2,502.
