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Santana, Angels face off with lowly Rangers

Sep 24, 2007 - 2:30 PM LA Angels (91-64) at Texas (72-84) 8:05 pm EDT

ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have clinched the American League West, but there is still work to do.

Ervin Santana and the Angels continue their quest for home-field advantage in the playoffs as they open a three-game series with the lowly Texas Rangers on Monday.

The Angels clinched the AL West on Sunday as John Lackey threw seven outstanding innings while Casey Kotchman and Maicer Izturis homered in a 7-4 win over the Seattle Mariners.

It was the fifth win in seven games for the Angels, who are one-half game behind the Boston Red Sox (92-64) for the best record in the AL.

Santana (7-13, 5.63 ERA) picked up just his second win in his last 10 starts by allowing one run and six hits in 6 1/3 innings against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Thursday.

Santana's struggles on the road are well-documented. The 24-year-old righthander is 1-9 with a 8.33 ERA in 14 games - 13 starts. He is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in three starts against the Rangers this season.

Meanwhile, Texas, which has lost 10 of 13 sends rookie Armando Galarraga (0-0, 2.25) to the mound. Galarraga has made two appearances out of the bullpen this season.

The righthander is starting in place of Vicente Padilla, who is serving a seven-game suspension for throwing at Oakland's Nick Swisher on September 16.