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Mariners-Angels Preview

Jul 18, 2010 - 5:38 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Seattle (35-55) at Los Angeles (49-44), 3:35 p.m. EDT

Los Angeles Angels hitters were enduring a tough stretch entering the All-Star break, but a series with the Seattle Mariners seems to be just what they needed to regain some confidence.

The Angels look to win their ninth straight game against the lowly Mariners as the teams wrap up a four-game series Sunday.

Los Angeles (50-44) lost eight of 10 prior to the break, scoring two or fewer runs in each of the defeats. But some rest and Mariners pitching have helped the Angels bounce back.

A 7-6 win over Seattle (35-56) on Saturday night gave Los Angeles eight straight victories over the AL West's last-place team. The Angels are averaging 7.4 runs and hitting .319 during that streak.

Juan Rivera, Mike Napoli and Kevin Frandsen combined for seven hits, six runs and four RBIs for Los Angeles in the latest matchup. Rivera, who broke a tie with a homer in the seventh inning, is 11 for 31 in nine games after missing the previous six due to blurred vision.

"He's definitely swinging better," manager Mike Scioscia said. "The vision problem was diagnosed quickly and acted on quickly. So I don't think it was a huge issue. He's fine now and he's seeing the ball well. Juan's very important to us. So hopefully, he's going to stay on this course. He usually picks it up in the second half."

Rivera's 11th homer helped the Angels move within 3 1/2 games of first-place Texas in the AL West.

Los Angeles' lineup will now try to give Ervin Santana (8-7, 3.76 ERA) some much-deserved support. Santana has lost two straight starts, but he certainly pitched well enough to win his last outing.

The right-hander gave up one run and three hits in eight innings of a 1-0 loss to Chicago on July 8.

It has been a mostly strong season for Santana, but he has had some trouble at home, going 4-3 with a 4.75 ERA in nine outings. He is 3-1 with a 4.09 ERA in eight starts versus the Mariners.

Seattle will counter with Jason Vargas (6-4, 3.09), who is coming off a sharp outing. He allowed one run in seven innings of a 3-1 loss to New York on July 8.

The left-hander has gotten two or fewer runs to work with in each of his last five starts. Vargas has been much more fortunate in three career starts against the Angels, getting a combined 13 runs en route to going 2-0 with a 2.29 ERA.

Seattle, last in the AL in runs (309), is coming off an encouraging performance.

Justin Smoak, part of a multiplayer trade that sent ace Cliff Lee to Texas on July 9, went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and a home run. It was the 23-year-old first baseman's 10th homer and second in as many games.

Smoak's two-run homer Friday night ruined Jered Weaver's shutout bid in a 3-2 Mariners loss. Smoak was 0 for 23 in six previous games versus the Angels.