ARLINGTON, Texas -- With 28 wins, the Angels are the best road team in the majors. But for center fielder Torii Hunter, there's no place like home.
With the Angels in Arlington, Hunter slept in his own bed in nearby Prosper, Texas, for only the second time this season.
And he responded with a three-hit, two-home run game that included a second-inning drive into the left-field club level; he is only the third visiting player to reach such heights.
"Baseball is 75%, 85% mental," said Hunter, who joked that his 442-foot homer was wind-aided. "Just coming home to my family and being around my brothers and everybody, it just kind of relaxed you a little bit.
"I slept to like 12 o'clock today. I didn't open my eyes from 1 [a.m.] to 12 o'clock. That was great rest, man."
Decision looms for Escobar
Season-ending shoulder surgery appears increasingly likely for right-hander Kelvim Escobar after an examination confirmed the results of an MRI exam last week.
Escobar, whose torn labrum was examined in Los Angeles by Dr. Lewis Yocum, was seen in New York by Mets orthopedist David Altchek, who reportedly found nothing new. But Peter Greenberg, Escobar's New York-based agent, said he and Escobar would to talk with Angels General Manager Tony Reagins before deciding what to do next.
"Nothing concrete yet," Greenberg wrote in an e-mail. "I'm just waiting."
Escobar, an 18-game winner last season, went on the disabled list in spring training because of a slight tear in his shoulder. Although surgery was an option at that time, Escobar worked to strengthen his shoulder and made two starts in the minor leagues. But the last time he picked up a ball he was unable to complete 10 throws because of pain.
"Whatever was there in the last exam is still there," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "It will be Escobar's decision and we're going to support it. It's a little disappointing. He's worked very hard to get to this point. [But] if surgery's the only thing that's going to get him back to where he needs to be, then it's obviously something he's going to need to look at."
Surgery probably would sideline Escobar for at least a year.
Saunders waiting for call
Shanel Saunders, wife of Angels pitcher Joe Saunders, is a day late giving birth to the couple's first child. But the All-Star left-hander, who is scheduled to start tonight, promises focus won't be a problem if he takes the mound.
