Angels vs. Mariners
Albert Pujols is finally heating up as the Los Angeles Angels look to defeat the Seattle Mariners for the second straight night on Friday. Pujols had three hits and homered for the second time in three games in Thursday’s series-opening 3-0 victory over the Mariners. Pujols’ fifth homer of the season made him the 35th player in baseball history to hit 450 homers. The loss was only Seattle’s second in its last seven games.
The Mariners had just four hits and struck out 14 times while being blanked by Dan Haren in the opener to fall behind the Angels into last place in the American League West. Alex Liddi struck out four times and three other Seattle hitters fanned twice in the first of 19 meetings between the teams. Los Angeles has outscored its opponents 11-1 during its current three-game winning streak. The starting pitchers have allowed three or fewer runs in nine of the last 10 games.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports West (Los Angeles), ROOT (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Ervin Santana (2-6, 4.22 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Blake Beavan (2-4, 4.46 ERA)
Santana lost his first six starts of the season before finding his stride. He has allowed just four earned runs in his last three outings. Santana won two straight games before taking a no-decision against the San Diego Padres in his last outing when he gave up two runs in six innings. He is 11-6 with a 3.56 ERA in 26 career starts against the Mariners.
Beavan defeated the Colorado Rockies in his last start when he struck out a season-high seven and allowed two runs and seven hits in five innings. He has pitched fewer than six innings in each of his last five outings. Beavan is 1-0 with a 2.53 ERA in three career starts against the Angels.
WALK-OFFS:
1. The 32-year-old Pujols is the fourth youngest player to reach 450 homers behind Alex Rodriguez, Ken Griffey Jr. and Jimmie Foxx.
2. Ichiro Suzuki is batting .350 in 80 career at-bats against Santana.
3. The Angels lead the majors with seven shutouts after blanking Seattle in the opener.