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Lackey chases win No. 13 in series opener vs. Twins

Jul 20, 2007 - 3:18 PM LA Angels (56-38) at Minnesota (49-46) 8:10 pm EDT

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- John Lackey and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim look to continue their stellar season on Friday when they begin a three-game series with the Minnesota Twins.

The Angels hope to get things started right in this series with their ace, Lackey (12-5, 2.98 ERA), who will be looking to become the second pitcher in the major leagues to notch 13 wins. The Cleveland Indians' C.C. Sabathia become the first on Thursday.

Lackey has never won more than 14 games in any of his previous five seasons, reaching that mark in each of the last two seasons.

The righthander is 4-4 with a 4.01 ERA in 10 lifetime starts vs. Minnesota, and experienced a poor showing against the Twins last month, when he surrendered six runs over seven frames in an 8-5 loss on June 6.

Lackey is 2-0 with a 2.95 ERA in three starts in July, including a solid six-inning performance in a 9-5 win over the Texas Rangers in which he allowed three earned runs and seven hits.

Carlos Silva (7-10, 4.55) will oppose Lackey and will put his solid resume against the Angels on the line. He is 4-1 with a 3.86 ERA in seven games - including six starts - against them.

The righthander will be chasing a win in his second consecutive start after limiting the Oakland Athletics to three runs and two hits in 6 2/3 innings on Saturday in a 4-3 win.