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Angels begin series with visiting Astros

Sep 12, 2014 - 2:47 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - It's getting close to clinching time for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Halos try to move a step closer to an American League West title on Friday when they start a three-game series with the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium.

Los Angeles has won 14 of its last 16 games and has opened a 10-game lead in the division on the Oakland Athletics. However, its only two losses in that span came to the Astros.

Mike Scioscia's club lowered its magic number for clinching the division to seven with its eighth straight win on Thursday, as Erick Aybar hit a two-run homer in a 7-3 win over Texas.

"We are playing good baseball right now and getting it done on all ends," said Kole Calhoun. "Hopefully, we can keep this streak rolling."

Los Angeles last posted nine consecutive victories Aug. 18-27, 2004.

Mike Morin (4-3) earned the win after recording four outs in relief of starter Cory Rasmus, who gave up one run on two hits with three strikeouts over 3 1/3 innings. The Angels used eight pitchers in the win.

"They keep getting it done," Scioscia said of his bullpen. "When you have a bullpen game, you see which way the game branches out. (Thursday), it took eight pitchers to get it done."

Getting the call on Friday will be lefty C.J. Wilson, who is 11-9 with a 4.64 ERA. Wilson beat the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, as he held them to three runs and four hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Wilson had been pounded by the Astros two starts ago to the tune of five runs in 3 1/3 frames. That has been the trend for him this year against Houston, as he has pitched to an 8.35 ERA in four starts, spanning just 18 1/3 innings.

He is 6-5 lifetime against them with a 4.19 ERA in 22 games (12 starts).

Houston, meanwhile, will counter with 25-year-old left-hander Brett Oberholtzer, who earned his first win in more than a month by pitching 6 1/3 innings against Oakland last Friday. He allowed three runs in that one and improved to 5-10 to go along with a 4.38 ERA.

The Astros played the role of spoiler this week, as they took two of three from the Seattle Mariners. In fact, Houston has won eight of its last 10 games overall, beating the top three teams in the AL West in six of those wins.

Los Angeles, though, is 10-6 versus the Astros this season.