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Angels look to continue winning ways against Orioles

Sep 12, 2007 - 2:05 PM LA Angels (85-59) at Baltimore (61-82) 7:05 pm EDT

BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- Two teams headed in opposite directions face off on Wednesday when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim take on the Baltimore Orioles.

Anaheim has won five straight road games and six of its last seven away from Angels Stadium. The Angels remain atop of the American League West Division by 9 1/2 games over the Seattle Mariners (75-68).

While the Angels are cruising toward the playoffs, the Orioles are stumbling into the offseason. Baltimore has lost five of its last six games and 17 of its last 20.

Vladimir Guerrero, who returned to the lineup after missing four games with an inflamed right triceps, had his fourth multi-home run game of the season in Tuesday's 10-5 win.

Kelvim Escobar (16-7, 3.04 ERA) will look to keep the Angels' winning streak intact when he takes the mound on Wednesday.

Escobar has won five of his last six starts and pitched well in his last outing, allowing three runs while striking out eight over 5 2/3 innings en route to a 10-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday.

The Orioles counter with Jon Leicester (1-1, 9.90), who spent the season in the bullpen before making a spot start against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday. The 28-year-old righthander allowed four runs and seven hits over five innings, earning his first win in three years.