Hafner's three homers lead Tribe to blowout of Angels

The designated hitter drove in 11 runs in two days.
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- After a two-homer, five-RBI game, Travis Hafner was dropped from third to sixth in the Cleveland batting order.
Indians manager Eric Wedge's decision seemed reasonable enough -- Hafner had only one home run in 105 at-bats this season against left-handed pitching and Cleveland was set to face Anaheim starter Jarrod Washburn.
But the Indians' DH is hitting everyone lately, illustrated by his performance in the Indians' 14-5 rout Tuesday of the Angels.
Record-tying day
Hafner had his best day as a major leaguer with three homers and six RBIs. The 11 runs he drove in during the brief series in Anaheim tied Earl Averill's franchise record for a two-game span. Averill did it in a doubleheader against the Washington Senators on Sept. 17, 1930.
"I feel like my swings are getting a lot better off of lefties," said Hafner, who homered twice against Washburn. "It's a little streaky, but I feel like I've made a big improvement from last year. I'm more comfortable now. I have experience against a lot of pitchers now, and I know what they throw. Being relaxed is the big thing."
Hafner hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the 10th inning against Angels closer Troy Percival on Monday night. His third homer on Tuesday came off Francisco Rodriguez, who entered the game with a 1.31 ERA and had allowed just one home run in 48 innings this season.
"That guy, he's unbelievably locked in right now," Washburn said.
Hafner became the fifth player to hit five homers in two games for the Indians, joining Joe Carter, Albert Belle, Matt Williams and Manny Ramirez. In all, 26 major leaguers have accomplished the feat. Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner and Mark McGwire each did it twice.
"I don't think Travis is a streak hitter," Indians shortstop John McDonald said. "I've been watching his at-bats all year, so I've seen his patience at the plate, the pitches he swings at and the pitches he doesn't swing at.
"He's hit a lot of balls hard and made a lot of solid outs, so he's been a very consistent hitter all year. He's definitely a big lift in the middle of our lineup, and he lifts the guys around him."
Shares spotlight
Hafner is one of seven players this season to homer three times in a game. But he had to share the spotlight Tuesday with St. Louis' Albert Pujols, who did the same thing at Wrigley Field.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last time two major leaguers hit three homers on the same day was Aug. 10, 2002, when Sammy Sosa did it for the Cubs along with Philadelphia's Mike Lieberthal.
"Hitting three home runs is pretty special because it doesn't happen very often -- especially to me," said Hafner, who had a three-homer game in Double-A and another in college. "I guess I can enjoy this one on the plane ride."
It was the second three-homer game by a Cleveland player this season. Victor Martinez did it last Friday at Seattle when the Indians tied a franchise mark with eight. They have homered in a season-high eight straight games, clubbing 23 during this stretch.
McDonald and Coco Crisp hit solo shots against Washburn (10-5), who allowed 10 runs -- nine earned -- and a career-worst 13 hits in 51/3 innings.
It was the second time in four starts that Washburn gave up four home runs after the Oakland Athletics did it July 1. The only other time it happened to him was June 20, 2003, against Los Angeles.
"You shake your head, try to laugh it off and worry about the next one," Washburn said. "It's not hard to forget about something like this. A lot of times, it's easier to forget about a butt-kicking than one you should have won."
All-Star Jake Westbrook (7-5) won for the first time in seven starts.
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