ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Tim Salmon belted a pair of two-run homers as the Anaheim Angels roughed up Tim Hudson en route to a 9-5 victory over the Oakland Athletics.
Salmon reached Hudson for his first homer with one out in the fourth inning, giving the Angels a 6-5 lead. He connected off Micah Bowie in the eighth to give Anaheim the final margin.
With his two homers, Salmon moved past Brian Downing for the franchise record with 2,582 career total bases.
"It means longevity," said Salmon, who is in his 12th season with the Angels. "I've been able to stay in one place a long time. When it's all said and done, you might take a step back and take some pride in it. But right now, it's no big deal."
"Tim, he's a huge part of our lineup," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We need him to be productive. Tim did a great job tonight, got on base and two long balls."
Salmon's big night helped make a winner out of John Lackey (1-1), who surrendered two runs and five hits in five innings. He worked around four walks and struck out two.
Francisco Rodriguez picked up his first major league save, despite allowing two runs in two innings.
Hudson (1-1), who was looking to win his 10th straight decision dating to last season, was tagged for six runs and 11 hits in six innings.
Lackey endured his roughest inning in the first when Scott Hatteberg and Eric Chavez each delivered run-scoring singles to give the A's the quick lead.
"More of the credit goes to the guys swinging the bats," Lackey said. "They get it all tonight. I just hung in there long enough. The first inning has been killing me. If I could throw a zero, I'd be all right."
But the Angels answered in the second. Brad Fullmer singled with one out and moved to third on a double by Scott Spiezio. Bengie Molina made it three straight hits with a two-run single into center field.
Speedster Chone Figgins bunted his way on and David Eckstein, who came into the contest hitting .097, followed with an RBI single to give the Angels a 3-2 lead. Darin Erstad made it six straight hits with a single that loaded the bases.
"Hatch (Angels hitting coach Mickey Hatcher) made an adjustment to keep my weight back," Eckstein said. "He made the adjustment yesterday in the last round of BP."
But Hudson averted further trouble. He got Salmon to pop out to shortstop and Garret Anderson bounced into a forceout.
"Very unusual for him (Hudson) to give up six straight hits," A's manager Ken Macha said.
The Angels extended the lead to 6-2 in the fourth on Erstad's run-scoring single and Salmon's third homer of the season.
Chris Singleton bounced into a forceout to plate a run in the sixth for the A's and they got closer in the eighth against Rodriguez, last season's playoff hero.
Rodriguez walked Erubiel Durazo with one out and Terrence Long followed by sending an 0-1 pitch over the right field wall for his third homer of the season. Ramon Hernandez laced a double down the left line, but Rodriguez got out of the inning by retiring Singleton and Mark Ellis.
The Angels responded against Bowie in the bottom of the inning. Erstad bounced into a forceout to plate a run and Salmon completed his 39th career multi-homer game.
