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Angels take on M's aiming to move closer to AL West crown

Sep 16, 2014 - 2:42 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Now that the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have punched their ticket to the postseason they can focus on an American League West title.

They try to move one step closer to that goal on Tuesday when they continue a four-game series with the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium.

Los Angeles became the first team to secure a playoff berth on Monday, as Albert Pujols hit a three-run double to help the Angels to an 8-1 victory.

While the Angels clinched at least a wild card spot with the victory, they moved 10 1/2 games ahead of the Oakland Athletics for first place in the AL West. They have a magic number of three to nail down their first division title since 2009.

"Well I'm totally proud of what these guys have done," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia. "But we have to go out there and win the division to give ourselves the best position in the playoffs."

Pujols left the game with a left hamstring cramp after the hit, but he helped the Angles to their 11th win in their past 12 games. After the game, he stated that it was just a cramp and that he didn't expect the injury to sideline him for any significant time.

David Freese and Brennan Boesch each hit a home run while Matt Shoemaker (16-4) won for a seventh time in his past eight starts after giving up a run on five hits in 7 2/3 innings.

Hisashi Iwakuma (14-8) was tagged for seven runs on six hits with a pair of walks in 3 1/3 innings for the Mariners, who have dropped five of their past six games.

"The Angels just did a nice job tonight," Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said. "Truthfully, when we took (Iwakuma) out of the game, they didn't do much offensively."

Seattle fell two games back of Kansas City for the last wild card spot in the American League.

Getting the call for the Angels on Tuesday will be righty Cory Rasmus, who will be making his fourth start. Rasmus has pitched primarily out of the bullpen this season, but moved to the rotation when Garrett Richards went down with a knee injury. He has not received a decision in any of his three starts, nor has he lasted past the fourth inning, but the Angels have won all three games.

Rasmus is 3-1 on the year with a 2.80 ERA.

Seattle, meanwhile, turns to right-handed rookie Roenis Elias, who is 10-12 with a 3.81 ERA. Elias did not get a decision last Tuesday against Houston, but pitched well, as he allowed just a run and six hits in six innings of his team's 2-1 loss. He had surrendered a run in five innings to win his previous start.

Elias has pitched to a 2.08 ERA since July 21 and his 160 2/3 innings rank second among all big league rookies.

"He didn't really surprise me. He surprised you guys," McClendon said. "But I knew what I had and I knew what he'd give us. He hasn't disappointed, and he continues to shine."

Seattle is 7-6 against the Angels this season.