Kendrick’s five RBIs carry Angels over Cleveland, 9-3

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Aaron Laffey and the Cleveland Indians watched another game and another star slip away.

Hours after trading Cliff Lee, the Indians lost to the Los Angeles Angels 9-3 on Wednesday. Howie Kendrick homered and drove in a career-high five runs, and John Lackey easily outpitched Laffey.

Lackey (7-4) held the Indians to a run and three hits in seven innings with eight strikeouts and four walks. The right-hander, who started the season on the disabled list because of a strained right forearm, is 4-0 with a 1.47 ERA over his last four starts.

“Other than a three- or four-hitter stretch there in the seventh, I felt like I was in command of all of my pitches,” Lackey said. “I feel like my strength, stamina and command are all coming together.”

Laffey (4-3) gave up seven runs and seven hits in four-plus innings. He and Lackey faced each other once before, on July 23, 2008, when Laffey lost a 14-11 decision in Anaheim.

Kendrick singled home a run in the first, added a two-run single off reliever Chris Perez in the fifth and capped his day with a two-run homer in the seventh off rookie left-hander Tony Sipp.

“Howie had a great approach at the plate today,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “That is what he can do. It is nice to see him feeling more comfortable at the plate and come back up and get some big hits, because we are going to need it.”

In 17 games since his return from a three-week demotion to Triple-A Sale Lake, Kendrick is batting .383 (23 for 60) with 14 RBIs.

“No one wants to be sent down, and I was a little upset here and there when it happened,” Kendrick said. “At the same time, looking back, I think it was the best thing for me. That is what I needed. “I have benefited from it coming back up here. It’s allowed me to enjoy it a lot more and just take the game for what it is, and not worry about getting out.”

The AL West-leading Angels reached the 100-game mark with a 60-40 record, one win shy of last season at this stage.

Laffey needed 43 pitches to get out of a two-run first in which catcher Kelly Shoppach committed two passed balls — one of which allowed Chone Figgins to reach base on a strikeout. Kendry Morales and Kendrick hit RBI singles.

“We didn’t do much for [Laffey]. We didn’t play very well behind him, and he really had to work hard in that first inning,” Indians manager Eric Wedge said. “Offensively, we just didn’t get anything going against Lackey. He does a real good job of expanding the plate.”