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Lackey nails down 18th win, division title for Angels

Sep 24, 2007 - 12:57 AM By Chris Padula PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- John Lackey tossed seven strong innings, leading the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to a 7-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners and clinching the American League West division title for their third time in the past four years.

Lackey (18-9) followed his 10-strikeout performance in a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Tuesday with another stellar outing on Sunday, striking out seven over seven frames.

"It's a great feeling to be able to win this in front of our fans and celebrate at home," Lackey said. "The depth of our team this year is what has helped us."

After surrendering Raul Ibanez's two-out single in the first, the righthander set down 10 straight batters until Ben Broussard singled to open the fifth.

"Just wanted to go out there and get outs and win the division at home," Lackey said. "It's been a long season and we just can't wait for the playoffs to start, but we still want to win games and get home-field advantage."

The Angels' ace did not walk a batter on his way to permitting two runs and seven hits to extend his career high win total.

"He (Lackey) pitched a great game and he's the guy we depend on in big games," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We have been playing good baseball since June, and it's just a thrill to be celebrating at home."

Casey Kotchman and Maicer Izturis each homered off Seattle starter Jeff Weaver (7-13) in Anaheim's three-run first to stake the Angels to an early 3-0 lead.

"We wanted to score some runs first and give Lackey something to work with," Kotchman said. "We were fortunate to hang on to the lead because they (Mariners) weren't giving up."

Weaver, who has lost three of his last four decisions, surrendered five runs and five hits over 5 1/3 innings.

"It has been a great season for us, and we have to tip our hate to those guys because they earned it," Mariners manager John McLaren said.

Raul Ibanez had two hits and scored twice for the Mariners, who will end the season with seven games at home after finishing 39-41 on the road.