GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: TAMPA BAY (63-89) at LA ANGELS (89-62)

Santana moves Angels closer to division title

<h3>LA ANGELS 2, TAMPA BAY 1</h3>ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels ofAnaheim continue their business-like march toward the AmericanWest Division title.


Ervin Santana pitched 6 1/3 strong innings and got just enoughrun support to earn the win as the Angels beat the Tampa BayDevil Rays, 2-1, on Wednesday to complete a three-game seriessweep.


Juan Rivera hit a solo home run and Jeff Mathis had an RBIsingle as the Angels (90-62) reduced their magic number toclinch the AL West title to three. Nearing their third divisiontitle in four seasons, the Angels are nine games clear ofsecond-place Seattle (80-70), which is playing Oakland onWednesday.


With scheduled starter Bartolo Colon sidelined with a stiffback, Santana (7-13) filled in admirably and picked up just hissecond win in 12 starts. His only mistake came in the fifthinning when he allowed a leadoff home run to Jonny Gomes.

Santana got into trouble in the sixth as the Devil Rays,trailing 2-1, had the bases loaded with two outs. However, therighthander preserved the lead by getting Jorge Velandia to flyout to center field.


Santana allowed one run, six hits and two walks while strikingout 10. He gave way to reliever Darren Oliver in the seventhafter striking out Josh Wilson with his 100th pitch of the game.

Francisco Rodriguez worked around a two-out walk in the ninth tonail down his 37th save of the season.


Enduring a sweep here was nothing new for the Devil Rays, whofell to 4-23 at Angel Stadium since the start of the 2002season. The Angels, who are 52-25 here this season, have woneight consecutive home games against the Devil Rays.

Tampa Bay starter J.P. Howell (1-5) allowed two runs, five hitsand and one walk while striking out eight in six innings.

 

Santana moves Angels closer to division title

<h3>LA ANGELS 2, TAMPA BAY 1</h3>ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels ofAnaheim continue their business-like march toward the AmericanWest Division title.


Ervin Santana pitched 6 1/3 strong innings and got just enoughrun support to earn the win as the Angels beat the Tampa BayDevil Rays, 2-1, on Wednesday to complete a three-game seriessweep.


Juan Rivera hit a solo home run and Jeff Mathis had an RBIsingle as the Angels (90-62) reduced their magic number toclinch the AL West title to three. Nearing their third divisioncrown in four seasons, the Angels are 8 1/2 games clear ofsecond-place Seattle (81-70), which topped Oakland on Wednesday.

"I helped myself out by making some big pitches in bigsituations," Santana said. "I just want to go out and finishstrong and get the opportunity to get a chance to start in theplayoffs."


With scheduled starter Bartolo Colon sidelined with a stiffback, Santana (7-13) filled in admirably and picked up just hissecond win in 12 starts. His only mistake came in the fifthinning, when he allowed a leadoff home run by Jonny Gomes.

"(Santana) did a good job coming in and filling in for ustoday," Angels catcher Mathis said. "It doesn't matter who goesout there for us because we're here to win, and it's comingdown to the wire."


Santana got into trouble in the sixth as the Devil Rays loadedthe bases with two outs while trailing, 2-1. However, therighthander preserved the lead by getting Jorge Velandia to flyout to center field.


"I just keep working hard right now and working with mymechanics to improve," Santana said. "I had a really goodslider going today that I could throw in any count."

Santana allowed one run, six hits and two walks while strikingout 10. He gave way to lefthander Darren Oliver in the seventhafter striking out Josh Wilson with his 100th pitch of the game.

Francisco Rodriguez worked around a two-out walk in the ninth tonail down his 37th save of the season.


"I've been feeling better lately and my pitches are in the zoneagain," Rodriguez said. "My confidence is better now and I justhad to forget about the bad outings I have had lately."

Enduring a sweep here was nothing new for the Devil Rays, whofell to 4-23 at Angel Stadium since the start of the 2002season. The Angels, who are 52-25 here this year, have woneight consecutive home games against the Devil Rays.

"For whatever reason, it just seems like no matter what we do,we always fall short of a win here," Devil Rays manager JoeMaddon said. "We know they have a good ballclub, but we shouldat least be able to get a win."


Tampa Bay starter J.P. Howell (1-5) allowed two runs, five hitsand and one walk while striking out eight in six innings.