SEATTLE -- The Los Angeles Angels jumped out to a big early lead and held on to beat the Seattle Mariners 5-3 to take the opening series between the two teams expected to battle for the American League West crown.

Los Angeles (2-1) scored four first-inning runs on the way to a 5-0 lead before Seattle (1-2) rallied to make things interesting.

First baseman Albert Pujols' home run gave the Angels a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, and Los Angeles never trailed after that. Shortstop Brad Miller and third baseman Kyle Seager each hit home runs for the Mariners, who rallied to pull within 5-3 in the sixth.

Seattle threatened in the eighth inning, when the Mariners got back-to-back hits from left fielder Dustin Ackley and second baseman Robinson Cano to open the inning before cleanup hitter Nelson Cruz struck out with runners on second and third. After reliever Joe Smith intentionally walked Seager to load the bases, he struck out designated hitter Rickie Weeks and got first baseman Logan Morrison to pop into an inning-ending out in center field.

Angels closer Huston Street came on to retire the side in the bottom of the ninth while earning a save for the second consecutive night.

Los Angeles starter Matt Shoemaker (1-0) took advantage of a big early lead to earn the win, going six innings while giving up three earned runs off six hits.

Mariners starter Hisashi Iwakuma overcame a rough first inning to make it through six, allowing nine hits, five runs and four earned runs in his season debut.

Second baseman Johnny Giavotella went 3-for-4 for the Angels, while left fielder Efren Navarro added a pair of hits in his first game of the season.

Pujols moved into 18th place on the all-time home run list with the two-run shot in the top of the first inning. He is now tied with Willie McCovey, Ted Williams and Frank Thomas with 521 career home runs.

The Pujols home run highlighted a four-run first inning as the Angels jumped Iwakuma on the way to a 4-0 lead. Iwakuma allowed four hits on his first 15 pitches, then Cano was charged with a costly error when Erick Aybar's grounder short-hopped him with a drawn-in infield, driving in a pair of runs.

Center fielder Mike Trout's sacrifice fly in the second inning extended the Angels' lead to 5-0 before Iwakuma settled down.

Seattle finally got on the scoreboard in the third, when Miller led off with a home run to right field to pull the Mariners within 5-1.

NOTES: Mariners RF Seth Smith (groin tightness) was on the bench when Wednesday's game started, marking the second consecutive day he did not appear in the lineup. Smith went 3 for 3 in Monday's opener, but Nelson Cruz has been in right field the past two games while Rickie Weeks serves as designated hitter. Smith suffered the injury in Monday's opener and was expected to be available as a pinch hitter Wednesday. ... Major league commissioner Rob Manfred was in Seattle for Wednesday's game. ... Wednesday marked Seattle starter Felix Hernandez's 29th birthday. ... Seattle and Los Angeles both have Thursday off. The Angels host Kansas City and former Los Angeles starter Jason Vargas on Friday, while the Mariners will be in Oakland.