Angels take 2-0 first-inning lead

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Kendry Morales, who drove in 108 runs in his first full major league season last year, picked up where he left off in the 2010 season opener Monday night against Minnesota, driving in Erick Aybar with a two-out single in a two-run Angel first inning.

Aybar, the Angels’ new lead-off hitter, worked Minnesota starter Scott Baker for a walk during an impressive 10-pitch at-bat. An out later, Torii Hunter walked and Hideki Matsui popped out. Morales followed with an opposite-field single to left. Juan Rivera then made it 2-0 with a broken-bat single to center before Baker finally got out of the inning when Howie Kendrick lined out to center on Baker’s 31st pitch.

-- Kevin Baxter