Final
Angels have chance to win AL West versus Mariners
Sep 17, 2014 - 2:35 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Los Angeles Angels try to secure their first American League West title since 2009 on Wednesday when they continue a four- game set with the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium.Los Angeles has already clinched a playoff spot, but failed to trim its magic number for a division crown even further on Tuesday, as Chris Taylor recorded two of Seattle's 14 hits and drove in three runs to help the Mariners to a 13-2 win.
The Mariners totaled 10 runs during a rough 1-5 stretch coming in, but solved their offensive woes against the Angels' bullpen -- specifically Jason Grilli (1-3) and Fernando Salas.
Austin Jackson, Dustin Ackley and Mike Zunino each had two RBI in the rout, which moved Seattle within one game of the Royals for the second wild-card spot in the AL.
"A game like this is what we needed for our confidence," Ackley said.
Carson Smith (1-0) earned his first big league win with two scoreless innings of relief behind injured starter Roenis Elias, who exited in the fourth with elbow stiffness.
It was just the second loss in 13 games for the Angels, whose magic number was still lowered to two, as Oakland lost to Texas. A Los Angeles win tonight coupled with another A's loss would give the Angels the AL West title.
That may be easier said than done, though, as the Mariners will hand the ball to left-hander James Paxton, who is 6-2 on the year with a 1.83 ERA. Paxton was terrific on Friday against the A's, limiting them to one earned run over six innings to win for the third time in four starts.
Paxton beat the Angels twice at the start of the season, fanning 13 batters in 12 innings of those two outings.
"There's a lot of similarities to what they were doing early in the season," said Paxton. "Obviously small things change. Some guys make adjustments and things like that. But for the most part, for me, it's the same plan of attack."
Los Angeles will counter with lefty C.J. Wilson, who has won his last two starts. Wilson beat Houston on Friday, as he allowed three runs (2 earned) and seven hits in five innings to run his record to 12-9 to go along with a 4.61 ERA.
Although he has won his last two starts, Wilson has a 5.75 ERA and 1.82 WHIP over his last four outings.
Wilson has faced the Mariners 56 times (19 starts) and is 14-8 with a 3.76 ERA.
Seattle is 8-6 against the Angels this season.
- SEATTLE: 0
LOS ANGELES: 5
Final
Sep 18 12:49 AM - Kole Calhoun double to right scored Collin Cowgill with two outs. On the play, Kole Calhoun advances to third on Robinson Cano's missed catch error. Runner on third and Mike Trout due up.
Mariners 0, Angels 5 Bot 7, 2 OutsSep 18 12:25 AM - Kole Calhoun doubles to deep right field, advances to 3rd. Collin Cowgill scores. Fielding error by Robinson Cano.
Mariners 0, Angels 5 Bot 7, 2 OutsSep 18 12:22 AM - C.J. Cron two-out, three-run Home Run (11) to left scored Tony Campana and Erick Aybar. Collin Cowgill due up.
Mariners 0, Angels 4 Bot 7, 2 OutsSep 18 12:20 AM - C.J. Cron homers to center field. Erick Aybar scores. Tony Campana scores.
Mariners 0, Angels 4 Bot 7, 2 OutsSep 18 12:18 AM - David Freese singled to right and Howie Kendrick scored on Chris Denorfia's fielding error with one out. On the play, David Freese advances to second. Runner on second and Erick Aybar due up.
Mariners 0, Angels 1 Bot 7, 1 OutSep 18 12:11 AM - David Freese singles to right field, advances to 2nd. Howie Kendrick scores. Fielding error by Christopher Denorfia.
Mariners 0, Angels 1 Bot 7, 1 OutSep 18 12:07 AM - Austin Jackson grounds out to second base, Howie Kendrick to C.J. Cron.
Sep 17 10:11 PM - SEATTLE: 0
LOS ANGELES: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Sep 17 10:11 PM
Related News
- Anthony Rendon's Apathy Doesn't Bode Well for Angels Feb 21
- Mariners Moose Tracks, 12/26/23: Kyle Keller, J.T. Realmuto, and Chad Smith Dec 26
- Mariners Moose Tracks, 12/25/23: Mitch Garver, Yuki Matsui, and Joe Kelly Dec 25
- Mariners to sign Mitch Garver to 2-year, $24M contract Dec 24
- Mariners Moose Tracks, 12/23/23: Bryce Miller, Shelby Miller, and Ryan Minor Dec 23
- ZiPS, Holidays & Mariner Malaise - Meet at the Mitt Podcast Dec 22
- Mariners Moose Tracks, 12/22/23: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Rule Changes, and More RSN Fallout Dec 22
- Mariners Moose Tracks, 12/21/23: Trevor Gott, Eric Haase, and Adrian Houser Dec 21
- Mariners Moose Tracks, 12/20/23: Andrew McCutchen, Yuki Matsui, and TJ Hopkins Dec 20
- Mariners Moose Tracks, 12/19/23: Tom Murphy, Martin Perez, and Matt Carpenter Dec 19
- Mariners Moose Tracks, 12/18/23: Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roenis Elias Dec 18
- Mariners Moose Tracks, 12/17/23: Rhys Hoskins, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Shoto Imanaga Dec 17