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Lackey, Angels aim to improve league-best marks vs. Astros

Jun 18, 2007 - 1:35 PM Houston (30-39) at LA Angels (44-26) 10:05 pm EDT

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will begin a three-game series with the Houston Astros on Monday at Angel Stadium.

John Lackey (10-4, 2.53 ERA) will look to become the first pitcher in the majors to 11 wins when he takes the mound in Anaheim, where the Angels boast a league-best 24-9 home record. The Angels have also won 11 of their last 12 series.

In a 6-3 win over Cincinnati on Wednesday, Lackey allowed three runs - one earned - and three hits over six innings, bouncing back from one of his worst outings of the season to notch his sixth win in seven outings. The righthander will be making his first career start against the Astros.

Opposing the red-hot Angels will be Chris Sampson (6-5, 3.29), who has gone 2-0 with a 2.91 ERA in the month of June. He will be his making his first career start against Anaheim.

In a 7-3 loss to Oakland on Wednesday, the righthander yielded two runs and three hits over seven innings but did not receive a decision, snapping a two-game winning streak.

While the Angels have enjoyed great success at home, the Astros are a National League-worst 13-21 on the road.