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Angels, Mariners go at it again at the Big A

Jun 5, 2012 - 2:57 PM (Sports Network) - Garrett Richards makes his first start of the season this evening when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim continue a three-game set with the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium.

Richards, starting in place of the injured Jered Weaver, has made one relief appearance for the Halos this season and tossed a scoreless inning. In seven games (1 start) for them a year ago, he was 0-2 with a 5.79 earned run average.

The 24-year-old right-hander will now be facing a potent Mariners' attack that has scored 55 runs over their last six games. Seattle's bats were again up to the task in Monday's opener, as Munenori Kawasaki went 2-for-3 with a three- run double and a walk to help the Mariners to an 8-6 win.

John Jaso finished 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored, Miguel Olivo added two hits, an RBI and two runs scored and Kyle Seager smashed a solo home run and scored twice for the Mariners, who bounced back from dropping two of three to the Chicago White Sox over the weekend.

Jason Vargas (7-4) allowed four runs on nine hits and two walks to go with eight strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings to earn the win. Tom Wilhelmsen worked out of a jam in the eighth and finished it off in the ninth to earn his first career save.

"Santana has good stuff and our guys had good at-bats tonight," Mariners manager Eric Wedge said. "Jason was consistent. He left a few pitches up but he threw the ball well. It was a great performance by Tom. He got it done late."

Mike Trout finished 4-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored, Kendrys Morales crushed a pair of solo homers, and Albert Pujols and Maicer Izturis added an RBI apiece for the Angels, who have dropped two straight.

Ervin Santana (2-7) allowed seven runs on eight hits and six walks with one strikeout in just 4 2/3 innings to absorb the loss.

"My command was a little off tonight," Santana said. "I'll erase this outing and go work on some things for the next one. I have to keep my mind positive and throw strikes."

Seattle will rely on righty Blake Beavan, who is 3-4 with a 4,72 ERA. Beavan beat the Texas Rangers on Thursday, but wasn't particularly sharp, as he allowed five runs and eight hits in six innings. Luckily, though, the Mariners were able to put 21 runs on the board for him.

"You're obviously not worried about giving up a couple runs when you've got a substantial lead like that so I was just trying to go right after them and go as deep as I could," said Beavan.

Beavan has faced the Angels four times and is 1-0 against them with a 2.86 ERA.

The Angels swept the Mariners in a four-game set two weeks ago.