BY MIKE CORMACK
sportsnet.ca

The Toronto Blue Jays were warned.

In the hours before taking the Rogers Centre field Friday for the first time as a member of the opposition during his 13-year big league career, Vernon Wells revealed how he planned to respond to his reception from the Toronto faithful.

"Hopefully, it'll be a good reaction," he said during a pre-game press conference. "And if not, I'll get in the box and try to hit a homer."

When he finally stepped to the plate in the top of the second, Wells got his wish when most of the 24,731 in attendance stood up and delivered a loud and appreciate round of applause.

In turn, Wells stepped out of the box, waved and doffed his helmet in thanks.

The somewhat surprising show of affection did little to deter him from his original plan however, as he then proceeded to crush the first pitch he saw from Jays starter Brandon Morrow over the left field wall to give the Angels a 1-0 lead they would never relinquish in a 5-1 win.

"It was a special moment," Wells said following the game. "Obviously walking up to the plate and the fans' reaction. We kind of joked in the clubhouse a little bit, if you get a standing O, they can turn to boos in a heartbeat if you hit a homer. I obviously didn't see that happening but it was a cool moment and a moment I'll never forget."

For Wells - who entered the game mired in a 9-for-64 slump -- his first home run since June 23 couldn't have come at a better place, or at a better time.

"I just tried to hold back the emotion in that moment," he said. "I didn't think there would be much, but there was. I just tried to enjoy it and obviously not be a cry baby at home plate. It's just a moment I'll never forget."

As for the Blue Jays? After booting the ball around and digging themselves into an early hole too big to climb out of for the second straight day, they'd love to quickly forget this one.

Already down 2-0 in the top of the third following a Alberto Callaspo RBI single and a Jose Bautista throwing error from right field that allowed him to advance to second, Morrow walked Erick Aybar before Torrii Hunter doubled to cash in both runners and put the Angels ahead 4-0.

Bautista would later make another throwing error and Morrow would drop an infield popup after both Aaron Hill and Adam Lind lost it in the lights to help send Toronto to its sixth loss in its past nine game to drop back to .500 (59-59).

"I don't know if it's a lack of concentration, but we've mishandled some balls, no question about it," said Jays manager John Farrell following the game, adding some lineup changes are in store.

"Are they gonna happen, yeah they are, but when they come in bunches it starts to look glaring. I don't know if it's necessarily the dog days of August, but we'll have some fresh legs out there tomorrow."

Despite the shaky start, Morrow (8-7) settled down to pitch seven innings of four-hit ball, in taking the loss. Casey Janssen, and later, Jesse Litsch each pitched an inning of scoreless relief for Toronto.

Meanwhile, Morrow's counterpart, Los Angeles' starter Ervin Santana continued his dominant run of late, going the distance while giving up just seven hits, including an Eric Thames solo home run in the ninth to, to win his fifth straight and improve to 9-8.

"He was outstanding and has been on a roll for quite some time," said Farrell. "This is I think five consecutive games where he's given up one run or less. He's in quite a groove."

Santana -- who threw a no-hitter July 27 in Cleveland -- came into the game sporting a 0.79 ERA over his last four starts while holding the opposition to a .152 batting average and had little trouble with the Blue Jays, including the slumping Bautista, who went 0-for-3 with a walk and hit into two inning-ending double plays.

It's been a miserable past month at the plate for the 30-year-old slugger. The Dominican entered play Friday with a slash line of .197/.344/.338 with two home runs and 11 RBIs over the past 28 days.

"Jose, like every other player is going to go through some times where things aren't clicking and he's in one of those," said Farrell. "And he continues to take early BP, continues to work and do what he can to get back on track."

That won't be easy this weekend with AL Cy Young front-runner Jered Weaver (14-5, 1.78) and Dan Haren (12-6, 2.91) slated to start for Los Angeles Saturday and Sunday respectively.

The Angels are a combined 44-29 this season in games started by Santana, Weaver and Haren

"Weaver's having a year that you can rank up in the history of the game," Farrell said prior to the game. "I know it's still fresh in my mind -- the 15 strikeout game (against Toronto) in Anaheim. We're going to have our hands full this weekend."

As for Wells, prior to the game he told reporters he'd been looking forward to this day for some time and afterward, said it more than lived up to his expectations.

"I'm going to enjoy it every time I come back here," he said. "This city means so much to me. It was very touching to see the reaction I got when I went to the plate. Thanks to the fans."

NOTES: With an eighth inning single, Edwin Encarnacion extended his hit streak to 11 games… Farrell revealed that when injured pitcher Carlos Villanueva returns from the disabled list he will be used as a reliever… Prior to the game the Blue Jays thanked Wells for his various charitable works in Toronto with a message on the Jumbotron.