Roth wins 2014 season debut

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Albert Pujols hit a go-ahead, two-run home run, and C.J. Cron and pinch-hitter David Freese also homered against the Houston bullpen in the Angels’ eight-run seventh inning as Los Angeles earned its ninth straight home win. Pujols’ 511th homer tied him with Mel Ott for 23rd place on baseball’s career list. Houston starter Scott Feldman left after six innings with a 5-2 lead and was replaced by Anthony Bass (1-1). Cron greeted Bass with a leadoff single before Freese batted for John McDonald and hit his first homer in 124 career at-bats at Angel Stadium and first in the majors as a pinch-hitter. Michael Roth (1-0) pitched two perfect innings of relief for the victory after rejoining the Angels from the minors earlier Saturday. Los Angeles is a season-best 14 games over .500 and remains 3 1-2 games behind AL West-leading Oakland. The former Gamecock becomes the first Angels reliever to win his season debut in back-to-back seasons since Bobby Locke in 1967-1968.