In the seventh, against Joe Thatcher, Hunter lined his team-leading 16th homer off the fake rock formation in center field, increasing his average to .321 and his team-leading run batted in total to 49.
"I don't know if you can pinpoint one guy and say he's carrying you, but what he's done so far this season has been remarkable," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "If he doesn't produce like he has been, we'd really be scrambling to get to the level we need to be.
"He's done everything from playing defense to running the bases, to what he's done in the batter's box and in the clubhouse. It's an understatement to say he's an important part of this club. This guy is special, and we're glad to have him."
As good a night as Hunter had at the plate, the eight-time Gold Glove Award winner could imagine an even better night in the field.
"Robbing home runs still feels better than hitting them," Hunter said. "If I robbed three homers in one game, I would throw a party for all the media and the fans with no admission charge."
--
mike.digiovanna@latimes.com
--
ANGELS TODAY
VS. SAN DIEGO
When: 12:30 p.m.
Where: Angel Stadium.
On the air: Channel 13; Radio: 830, 1330.
Pitchers: Jered Weaver vs. Chris Young.
Update: If Weaver continues to pitch as he has for the first two months of the season, he will be a near lock to make his first All-Star team. He has quality starts, in which he has gone six innings or more and given up three earned runs or fewer, in nine of 12 games and has given up only five runs and 20 hits in 26 innings of his last four starts, three wins and a no-decision. Young is 7-1 with a 2.50 earned-run average in 11 interleague starts but has not faced the Angels since Sept. 22, 2005, when he pitched for the Texas Rangers.
-- Mike DiGiovanna
