Angels beat Blue Jays as Vernon Wells returns to Rogers Centre
Posted August 12, 2011 11:43 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – It was an emotional return to Rogers Centre, Friday evening, for former Blue Jay Vernon Wells.
The game marked his first time back to the Toronto ballpark since being traded to Los Angeles in January.
Wells received a standing ovation as he walked to the plate for his first at-bat. He paused and lifted his helmet to the crowd in appreciation.
Wells then hit a home run to give the Angels their first run of the game. The Angels went on to beat the Blue Jays 5-1.
After the game, Wells admitted that emotion nearly took over when the crowd at gave him the ovation.
“I just tried to hold back the emotion in that moment,” Wells said.
“I didn’t think there would be much but there was and I just tried to enjoy it an obviously not be a crybaby at home plate. It’s just a moment I’ll never forget.”
Right-hander Santana (9-8) held Toronto to seven hits, two walks and one run to win his fifth successive decision for the Angels (65-54), who entered Friday two games behind the first-place Texas Rangers in the American League West.
Eric Thames hit his sixth homer of the season with one out in the ninth to spoil Santana’s attempt for his second shutout this season.
Right-hander Brandon Morrow (8-7) allowed five runs, four earned, on four hits and four walks. Toronto (59-59) made three errors on the night.
