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Suddenly powerful Angels face Athletics

Aug 3, 2007 - 2:53 PM LA Angels (63-44) at Oakland (51-58) 10:05 pm EDT

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are on a power surge of late. They will look to continue that trend when they visit the Oakland Athletics in the second game of a four-game set on Friday.

The Angels suffered through a 14-game homerless streak last month, and their All-Star slugger managed to last 30 games between blasts.

Vladimir Guerrero, who won the Home Run Derby during the All-Star game festivities, broke out of his power drought with a pair of homers in Thursday's 6-4 series-opening win. His first-inning blast snapped a 125 at-bat string of long-ball futility.

As a team, the Angels have hit eight homers in their past three contests combined.

Attempting to keep Guerrero and company in the yard for the A's will be Lenny DiNardo (5-6, 3.10 ERA). The converted reliever has been a strong member of the rotation in Oakland, allowing two earned runs or less in eight of his 11 starts since being moved into the rotation on May 29.

Anaheim will counter with its own converted reliever, Dustin Moseley (4-1, 4.37). The rookie righthander made just his third start of the season last Sunday and did not factor in the decision after allowing four runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings.

After their win on Thursday, the Angels now own a 3 1/2 game cushion over the Seattle Mariners (59-47) in the American League West.