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Williams leads Angels into finale with Mariners

Jun 6, 2012 - 2:52 PM (Sports Network) - Jerome Williams takes aim at win No. 7 this evening when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim close out a three-game set with the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium.

Williams' terrific season continued on Friday against Texas, despite a so-so effort. Williams got the win and improved to 6-2, but pitched in-and-out of trouble all night, as he put seven runners in scoring position. However, he only gave up two runs in seven innings and lowered his earned run average to 3.68.

The right-hander owns a perfect 3-0 mark against the Mariners with a 3.43 ERA in three starts. He beat them two starts ago, limiting them to three runs and five hits in six innings.

Williams is also 8-0 with a 2.32 ERA in 11 games (8 starts) at Angel Stadium since returning to the majors last season following three-plus years in the minors.

Seattle will counter with righty Hector Noesi, who is 2-6 with a 5.51 ERA. Noesi did not get a decision on Saturday in Chicago, but was awful, as he allowed six runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 frames of his team's 10-8 win.

He gave up three different early leads and was pulled after throwing 68 pitches.

Noesi gave up three runs over eight innings in a loss to the Angels two starts ago.

The Angels moved back over .500 on Tuesday, as Garrett Richards fired seven innings of one-run ball and earned his first career victory in Los Angeles' 6-1 win.

Richards (1-0) was making his first start of the season -- and just the fourth of his career -- after being recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on May 29 when Jered Weaver landed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained lower back.

"The command was there tonight, especially my two-seam (fastball)," remarked Richards. "It's good to get the first win out of the way. Tonight I trusted my stuff and went after guys."

The 24-year-old righty allowed four hits and two walks while striking out a career-high eight. Mark Trumbo homered twice and knocked in four runs while Torii Hunter added a solo blast for the Angels, who swept the Mariners in a four-game set from May 24-27.

Blake Beavan (3-5) was charged for all six runs on 10 hits over five frames. Michael Saunders clubbed three of Seattle's five hits and belted a home run as the Mariners fell for the second time in three tries.

"He has turned the corner this year," said Seattle manager Eric Wedge about Saunders. "He has put himself in a good position to hit."