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Mariners-Angels Preview

May 31, 2009 - 6:09 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Seattle (24-26) at Los Angeles (24-24), 3:35 p.m. EDT

Ervin Santana has had mixed results on the mound since coming off the disabled list. Perhaps another matchup with the Seattle Mariners can help him build some confidence.

Coming off a terrible outing, Santana looks to put together his second strong performance against the light-hitting Mariners this month as the Los Angeles Angels try to avoid a three-game sweep Sunday.

Santana (0-2, 7.82 ERA), a 16-game winner last year, has had trouble getting into a grove in three starts after missing the Angels' first 32 contests due to a sprained elbow.

The right-hander lasted just one inning Monday night, surrendering seven runs and nine hits during a 17-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox.

"I'm not the only pitcher that's happened to," Santana said. "That happens to everybody. Next time, I'll come out and try to do my job better."

He faced the Mariners (24-26) on May 20, suffering a loss despite giving up one run and five hits in 6 2-3 innings as the Angels (24-24) fell 1-0. Santana is 6-3 with a 3.76 ERA in 13 starts versus Seattle, which has scored an AL-low 189 runs.

The Mariners, though, have won three straight and have a chance to sweep a road series against the Angels for the first time since June 2006. Seattle was shut out for eight innings on Saturday, but Jose Lopez tied the game with a three-run homer in the ninth and won 4-3 in 10 innings on Yuniesky Betancourt's sacrifice fly.

Lopez homered for the second straight game after connecting for a solo shot in a 5-2 win Friday. He has four homers and 22 RBIs this season, but is batting just .218.

Mariners right fielder Ichiro Suzuki singled in the third to extend his hitting streak to 13 games, matching the second-longest of his major league career and putting him within two of the franchise record he set in 2007. The 2001 AL MVP, though, is batting .231 (9 for 39) against Santana.

With the Angels struggling at the plate, Santana may not get much run support. Los Angeles has lost four of five, scoring three runs or fewer in each of those contests while combining to hit .171 (6 for 35) with runners in scoring position.

The Angels' pitching problems in late innings hasn't helped, either. Brian Fuentes' blown save Saturday was his third in 16 attempts. The left-hander, who signed a two-year, $17.5 million contract in December to replace single-season saves leader Francisco Rodriguez, has a 5.30 ERA.

"We have a great closer, one of the best in the game, and I wouldn't trade him for anyone else," Los Angeles pitcher Matt Palmer said.

Jarrod Washburn, an Angel from 1998-05, won't get a chance to face his former team after being scratched due to tightness above his left knee. Garrett Olson (0-1, 3.66) will make his second straight start and third of the season.

Olson threw six scoreless innings in his last outing, allowing four hits and two walks during Seattle's 5-1 loss to San Francisco on May 23.

The left-hander is 1-1 with an 8.68 ERA in two starts and one relief appearance against the Angels.