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Angels go for three-game sweep of A’s; Kendrys Morales examined by foot specialist

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Three days ago, the Angels’ batters, as former Dodgers Manager Tommy Lasorda once said in a famous rant, couldn’t hit water if they fell out of a boat. While getting swept in a four-game series by the Boston Red Sox, the Angels scored five runs (total), hit .158 (21 for 33) and were shut out Saturday and Sunday.

Then the Oakland Athletics came to town and the Angels got all better. They beat the A’s, 5-0, behind Jered Weaver’s seven-hit shutout Monday night, and they racked up 16 hits, including seven for extra bases, in an 8-3 victory Tuesday night. The Angels will go for a three-game sweep Wednesday afternoon, with Angels right-hander Dan Haren opposing Oakland right-hander Tyson Ross.

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“It’s crazy, man,” said right fielder Torii Hunter, who was battling a 5-for-49 slump going into the A’s series but had three hits, including a double, Tuesday night. “You watch this game, you play it long enough, you see some stupid stuff. The game is crazy ... but I love it.”

Second baseman Alexi Amarista, who had a two-run double and a sacrifice fly in his big-league debut Tuesday night, is starting, and first baseman Mark Trumbo is on the bench for the second straight game.

In off-the-field news, first baseman Kendrys Morales, whose recovery from a broken left ankle has been much slower than the team anticipated, was scheduled to be examined by Dr. Phil Kwong, a foot and ankle specialist, Wednesday afternoon.

Manager Mike Scioscia said Morales had not run for several days “to allow more recovery days after his running.” Morales has been doing agility drills and defensive work, but until he runs the bases at full speed he will not begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment.

“We’ll get some direction,” Scioscia said of the examination. “If he’s able to stay in baseball activities, he’ll make the trip [to Tampa Bay and Boston] with us” to continue his rehabilitation.

The Angels lineup Wednesday: SS Erick Aybar, DH Bobby Abreu, RF Torii Hunter, LF Vernon Wells, 3B Alberto Callaspo, 1B Howie Kendrick, C Hank Conger, CF Peter Bourjos, 2B Alexi Amarista.

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The A’s lineup: RF David DeJesus, 1B Daric Barton, LF Conor Jackson, DH Hideki Matsui, 2B Mark Ellis, CF Ryan Sweeney, C Landon Powell, 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff, SS Cliff Pennington.

ALSO:

Alexi Amarista to make big-league debut

Angels’ Vernon Wells lacks patience at the plate

-- Mike DiGiovanna

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