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Lackey, Guerrero lead Angels past Royals

May 1, 2007 - 5:34 AM KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- It was the same old story for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim against the Kansas City Royals.

John Lackey turned in another strong start and Vladimir Guerrero drove in a pair of runs as the Angels won for the 14th time in their last 16 games here Monday night, 3-1.

Lackey (4-2) lasted 6 1/3 innings, picking up the win while allowing one run and seven hits. Anaheim's ace struck out seven and walked just one before being replaced by Justin Speier with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning.

"I was able to make some good pitches with guys on base, especially in the sixth inning,"Lackey said.

Lackey has yet to yield more than three runs in an outing this season, and his seven strikeouts Monday matched a season high set Wednesday against Tampa Bay. The Angels have managed more than four runs for him just once in six starts.

"That's kind of how it's been for me," Lackey said. "I've gotten used to it. I've got to pitch good to win."

"He's grown since we've seen him come up," Scioscia said. "He's pitching much better and the score doesn't affect him. He knows the only thing he can control is the next pitch, which helps him focus and stay in the moment."

Guerrero drove in two runs with a double to left field in the top of the first, plating Orlando Cabrera and Reggie Willits. Anaheim's slugger now has 23 RBI in his last 24 games.

"I want to hit everything I can," Guerrero said through an interpreter. "It's important to get the runs early. It's better to have the other team trying to chase you than you trying to catch them."

"You can throw the ball anywhere you want," Royals starting pitcher Odalis Perez said of Guerrero. "And if he hits it, he'll hit it hard. He has no strike zone."

Guerrero came into the game with a .431 (22-for-51) average and 17 RBI in the Angels' 14 wins, but just .222 (6-for-27) with four RBI in the club's nine losses with him in the lineup.

"He's so strong," Scioscia said. "To see him get out in front on a ball like that and hit it over DeJesus' head, that's a sign of his strength. He's got some range of pitches he can hit."

The Angels entered the game with just three wins on the road in the 2007 campaign. They were coming off their first road series win of the season after taking two-of-three from the White Sox over the weekend.

"I like the way we're getting after it on the field," Scioscia said. "We had to manufacture a little tonight, and we did. It doesn't matter which field we play on, that's the game we have to bring."

Anaheim, however, has not had a problem winning here lately. The Angels had won 13 of their last 15 here entering the contest and 21 of 26 overall against Kansas City.

"We're getting terrific pitching," Scioscia said. "So even when we're not hitting we have a chance to win."

Chone Figgins, who had been on the disabled list with two fractured fingers since spring training, made his first start of the season. Playing third base and batting ninth, Figgins doubled home a run in the fourth inning for his first hit and RBI of the season.

"It felt like Opening Day," Figgins said. "It was really great, very emotional. It was good to get that first one out of the way. I felt like I didn't rush. I was relaxed and had good at bats. I felt really great."

Two relievers bridged the gap to closer Francisco Rodriguez, who pitched around a leadoff double to Ross Gload in the ninth to record his ninth save in 10 chances. He struck out the side.

"We've had enough opportunities to score," Royals manager Buddy Bell said. "We've got to figure it out. I'm tired of it. The players are tired of it."

Lackey's dominance overshadowed a decent performance from Royals starter Perez (2-3). The lefthander allowed three runs and 10 hits in six innings, striking out four.

"He was as good as I've seen him tonight," Bell said. "That was the best he's thrown all year. He was good."

After beginning the season yielding 16 runs in 18 2/3 innings over his first four starts, Perez has turned in two straight quality performances. He also allowed three runs in six innings in a win last Wednesday at Minnesota.

"I feel good about the way I've been pitching lately," Perez said. "I kept the team in the game."

Ryan Shealy, who plated the Royals' lone run with an RBI double in the second, left the game in the third inning with a tight left hamstring. He was replaced by Emil Brown.