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Blue Jays-Angels Preview

May 25, 2010 - 7:01 AM By ALAN FERGUSON STATS Writer

Toronto (27-20) at Los Angeles (21-26), 10:05 p.m. EDT

Toronto Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero is excited for his first game back in the Los Angeles area. However, he's probably not overly thrilled with opposing the Angels' Ervin Santana again.

Having been on the wrong end of a duel with Santana earlier this season, Romero will try to prevail this time and win his fourth straight decision Tuesday night against Santana, who is looking to win his third consecutive start.

The 25-year-old Romero, a Los Angeles native who attended nearby Cal State Fullerton, is expected to have a few hundred family and friends in attendance when he takes the mound in the second of a three-game set.

"I'm really looking forward to it," he told the Blue Jays' official website. "It's definitely going to be a day that I'm never going to forget."

That contingent could have plenty to cheer about if the left-hander can repeat his recent efforts. Romero (4-1, 2.71 ERA) followed up his first career shutout May 15 in Texas by allowing one run and four hits over 6 2-3 innings Thursday in Seattle.

He was denied a win when the Mariners rallied for three runs in the ninth, but he's still on track to win four straight decisions for the second time in his two seasons in the majors.

Romero is 1-1 with a 1.93 ERA in two career matchups with the Angels. The loss, his lone defeat this season, came against Santana (3-3, 3.75) on April 18 in Toronto.

Romero allowed one run and five hits over eight innings but was outdueled by Santana, who came within a strike of a shutout before giving up a homer to Adam Lind. The Angels right-hander scattered four hits, struck out six and walked none in the 3-1 victory.

"Either one of those guys deserved to win today, and fortunately we got it done," Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia said.

Like Romero, Santana has been impressive in his recent outings with a 1.38 ERA in his back-to-back wins. He gave up one unearned run and scattered seven hits Thursday against the Chicago White Sox.

Santana is 3-3 with a 4.95 ERA in seven career starts versus the Blue Jays but has won the past two while posting a 2.40 ERA.

To continue both of his win streaks, Santana will need a better offensive effort from the Angels (21-26) than they delivered in Monday night's series opener. Los Angeles (21-26) managed three hits while getting shut out for the first time this season.

Toronto (27-20) broke open the 6-0 win with a four-run seventh inning. Lind, who had two hits and two RBIs, drove in the first run in that frame with a one-out double.

Lind has hit safely in 12 straight games against the Angels since the start of last season, batting .510 with three homers, eight RBIs and 11 runs scored during the streak. He has two homers and five RBIs in four games against Los Angeles this season, and he's 4 for 7 with two homers off Santana.

The Angels could get some help if Maicer Izturis returns from right shoulder inflammation Tuesday. Izturis, who batted a career-best .300 last season, was hitting .250 through 14 games.

"Hopefully it'll be tomorrow, but at the latest Wednesday," Scioscia told the team's website.

When he returns, Izturis could take over as the leadoff hitter from Erick Aybar. Izturis had a .362 on-base percentage prior to his injury while Aybar is at .305.