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Athletics-Angels Preview

Sep 26, 2009 - 6:45 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Oakland (74-80) at Los Angeles (90-63), 9:05 p.m. EDT

The Los Angeles Angels are the only team in the majors that haven't had a four-game losing streak this season. With John Lackey facing one of his favorite opponents, there's a good chance it will stay that way.

Lackey looks to record his 17th career win against the Oakland Athletics when he takes the mound for the Angels on Saturday night.

Los Angeles (90-63) matched its longest losing streak of the season Friday, falling 3-0 to Oakland (74-80). Gio Gonzalez and two relievers combined to hold the Angels to five hits while Los Angeles catcher Jeff Mathis made two throwing errors in the seventh inning, leading to Oakland's second run.

It is the sixth time this season the Angels have lost three in a row. Manager Mike Scioscia isn't pleased, though, that his team has managed only two runs in the last two games while going 0 for 19 with runners in scoring position.

"We'll tinker with the lineup (Saturday)," Scioscia said. "But when you strike out 28 times in two games, that's a lot of easy outs for the other club."

Though the Angels have stumbled, they still sit atop the AL West with a six-game lead over Texas. Meanwhile, the Athletics - long out of the playoff hunt - have won 15 of 19. They've held their opponents to two or fewer runs in nine of those games while posting three shutouts.

Ryan Sweeney has been especially hot. He had three hits Friday and continues to enjoy a lot of success at Angel Stadium, hitting .441 in eight games.

Oakland has won five of eight at Anaheim.

"They're a great ballclub, they've proven that all year, and they're close to clinching. But obviously, you don't ever want to watch another team celebrate," reliever Michael Wuertz said.

The Angels, whose magic number is four, will go with Lackey (11-8, 3.56 ERA), who's allowed one unearned run in 17 innings while winning both starts versus Oakland in 2009.

He's 16-4 with a 2.54 ERA in 28 starts against the A's, including 8-1 with a 2.19 ERA in 13 home starts.

Lackey gave up five runs and seven hits in six innings of a 10-5 win over Texas on Sunday after allowing five runs over 33 2-3 innings in his previous four outings.

Dana Eveland (2-3, 6.50) will counter for Oakland and make his second start since rejoining the rotation this month.

Eveland has made four appearances since his latest call-up from the minors, including one start. He gave up one run and five hits in five innings of an 11-4 loss to Cleveland on Sunday. As a starter, the left-hander is 2-2 with a 7.03 ERA.

Eveland is 0-2 with a 5.64 ERA against the Angels. In his season debut on April 8, he gave up three runs and eight hits in six innings but didn't get a decision in Oakland's 6-4 win over Los Angeles.

Vladimir Guerrero is 1 for 11 against Eveland, and went 0 for 4 Friday to drop his average to .296. He's trying to join Hall of Famers Rod Carew and Tony Gwynn as the only players in the last 50 years to hit at least .300 in 13 consecutive seasons.