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Saunders eyes league-best 13th win

Jul 8, 2008 - 1:35 PM LA Angels (54-35) at Texas (46-44) 8:05 pm ET

ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- Joe Saunders will try to slow down the potent Texas Rangers lineup on Tuesday when he takes the mound for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Ervin Santana, who - along with Saunders - was selected to his first All-Star Game on Sunday, collected his 10th win of the season in Monday's series opener, but not before surrendering six runs and 10 hits as Texas nearly rallied from an 8-0 second-inning deficit.

If Saunders (12-4, 3.04 ERA) can duplicate Santana's result, he would - at the very least - keep pace with Arizona's Brandon Webb (12-4), who will also be eyeing his 13th win when he takes the mound vs. Washington.

The lefthander recorded his third win over his last four starts in Wednesday's 7-4 victory over Oakland after allowing four runs - two earned - and six hits with five strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings.

Saunders stands a great chance at winning No. 13 if he can maintain his success on the road, where he is 6-2 with a 2.05 ERA this season.

Standing in his way will be Matt Harrison, who will be making his major league debut after being acquired at the trade deadline last season in the deal that sent Mark Teixeira to Atlanta.

The 22-year-old lefthander has split time between Class AA Frisco and Class AAA Oklahoma this season, going a combined 6-3 with a 3.43 ERA in 15 starts.