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Matt Palmer wins 5th in 5 starts for Angels

May 20, 2009 - 6:59 AM SEATTLE(AP) -- Matt Palmer knew he didn't have his best stuff when he took the mound for the Los Angeles Angels against the Seattle Mariners.

So he simplified his goal.

"The big thing for me was to make sure I can salvage the bullpen. I didn't want them in in the third or fourth inning," said Palmer, who has five wins in five starts after lasting five-plus innings in the Angels' 6-5 victory Tuesday night.

"I was not the same as I've been so I knew it was going to be a longer night than I wanted it to be," he added. "I wanted to go at least through the fifth so I knew the bullpen was set up right where they needed to be, everyone in the right spots."

A 30-year-old rookie, Palmer became the third Angels pitcher to win his first five starts. He gave up a leadoff double in the sixth, then handed it off to the bullpen.

All three relievers who followed did their jobs to preserve the victory. Jason Bulger worked two hitless innings, Scot Shields set down the side in the eighth and Brian Fuentes struck out three in the ninth for his 10th save in 12 opportunities.

"That's how you draw it up. Sometimes it doesn't always work like that," said Fuentes, second in the AL in saves. "Right from jump street, Bulge came in and threw lights out. Shields hasn't pitched in a while and showed like he hasn't missed a day.

"I just try to do my job. After a team effort like this, all the pressure in the world is just closing the door for your teammates. All I care about is getting those last three outs. I was efficient with my pitches tonight, got ahead of guys. It worked out."

Bobby Abreu had three hits and two RBIs as the Angels took advantage of sloppy play by the Mariners. Abreu had a first-inning RBI single and a run-scoring double in the sixth. He also singled and scored in the fifth. Maicer Izturis had three hits and scored three times as the Angels pounded out 14 hits.

Seattle's Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 615th homer, and Ronny Cedeno had a two-run shot. Felix Hernandez (4-3) lasted 5 2-3 innings, allowing 11 hits and six runs.

Slumping Mariners slugger Adrian Beltre was back in the lineup one day after manager Don Wakamatsu rested him. The third baseman was hitless in four at-bats with two strikeouts. He is in an 0-for-17 slump.

The Angels stole a season-high five bases and were thrown out a season-high three times. Their baserunning success drew a strong response from Wakamatsu.

"It's a good club and they have talented players but it's an embarrassment to allow them to steal five bags off us," Wakamatsu said. "You have to be able to control the running game whether it be Philadelphia, Tampa Bay or the Anaheim Angels. These are the little fundamental things that we've talked about that we have to do better."

Wakamatsu, who has watched his team lose 12 of 15, also was not pleased with Hernandez or the team's defense, as it gave away two runs in the fifth. Izturis and Abreu opened with singles and advanced on Torii Hunter's groundout. Izturis then raced home on Hernandez's wild pitch. Kendry Morales walked before Mike Napoli hit a potential double-play ball to second baseman Jose Lopez, who booted it.

Abreu scored for a 5-4 lead. It was the Mariners' league-leading 34th error this season.

"I've said all along that our team revolves around pitching and defense and we weren't good at either at the start of the game," Wakamatsu said.

The Angels jumped on Hernandez for a pair of first-inning runs. Chone Figgins singled, Izturis walked and Abreu and Hunter followed with consecutive RBI singles.

The Mariners regained the lead on homers by Griffey and Cedeno, but the Angels tied it in the fourth on Howie Kendrick's RBI single.

Ichiro Suzuki extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a two-out double in the fourth, scoring Kenji Johjima from second as the Mariners again took the lead.

Palmer allowed seven hits and five runs but was picked up by the bullpen.

Notes: Angels OF Vladimir Guerrero, on the DL since April 16 with a torn right pectoral muscle, will begin a rehab assignment with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga on Friday. If he does not have a setback, the plan is to have him rejoin the team Monday in Anaheim. Also joining him at Rancho Cucamonga will be RHP Kelvim Escobar, on the DL all season after right shoulder surgery. He is expected to pitch in the game. Escobar can't come off the DL until at least June 4.