Catch this: Unhailed Angels rookie erupts

Catcher totals 10 RBIs in first two games

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Little known a week ago, Francisco Arcia is on such a wild ride now that he and his family members seem to have the ability to guide their own dream scenario.

The rookie catcher had a home run, two doubles and six RBIs on Saturday, giving him a major league-record 10 RBIs in two career games, and the Los Angeles Angels rolled to an 11-5 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

Talking to his brother earlier Saturday, the 28-year-old Arcia, a native of Venezuela, marveled that he was going to face Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez, who also hails from Venezuela.

“I talked to my brother and said ‘I am going to face one of the best pitchers from my country,’” Arcia said. “He (said), ‘Don’t worry, he’s going to throw a ball right down the plate, and you’re going to hit it so hard.’”

Arcia faced Hernandez just once, drilling his RBI double to right field in the second inning. Before Arcia came to the plate in the third, Casey Lawrence had replaced Hernandez. Arcia greeted Lawrence with a threerun homer to right.

After hitting a home run and collecting four RBIs in his major league debut Thursday, Arcia said it was a dream come true. Now that he topped it in his second game?

“Still the same, the same dream,” Arcia said. “I can’t believe it. I’m proud. I think of all the hard work I put into my career, and now I can see it come true.”

Arcia had 25 minor league home runs over 12 seasons in the Yankees, Marlins and Angels organizations. He became the first Angels player to hit home runs in his first two games.

Hernandez (8-9) gave up seven runs on six hits with two walks over 2⅔ innings and has lost both of his starts since coming off the disabled list because of lower back stiffness.

Hernandez has given up 11 runs on 11 hits over 7⅔ innings in his past two outings.

Mike Trout also homered for the Angels, delivering his 29th of the season off Hernandez in the first inning. Arcia and Ian Kinsler each had three hits for the Angels.

Nelson Cruz hit two home runs for the Mariners, his third multi-homer game this season and the 26th of his career.

Angels starter Jamie Barria (6-7), who had lost six consecutive decisions, gave up two runs on five hits over six innings to earn his first win since June 1.

The rookie opened the season 5-1 before losing six times over his next seven starts.

Kyusung Gong The Associated Press Angels rookie Francisco Arcia and Mariners catcher Mike Zunino watch Arcia’s threerun homer in Los Angeles’ 11-5 win Saturday. He totaled three hits and six RBIs.