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Lackey, Angels strive to increase division lead

Jul 23, 2008 - 12:23 PM Cleveland (44-54) at LA Angels (60-39??) 3:35 pm EDT

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have to like where they stand in relation to all the other division leaders after 100 games.

The Angels attempt to pad their lead in the American League West on Wednesday when they conclude a three-game set against the Cleveland Indians.

Anaheim, which owns a nine-game lead over second-place Oakland (52-48) in the division, has the safest lead in any of the six divisions. Especially considering that the Athletics have dealt two of their rotation's mainstays (Rich Harden and Joe Blanton) while Texas (52-49) tries to overcome the AL's worst team ERA at 5.12.

The Angels can also find comfort in the fact that no other division leader in baseball can boast of a division lead of more than 1 1/2 games.

Anaheim on Wednesday will turn to ace John Lackey (7-2, 2.58 ERA), who appears to have moved past his struggles just prior to the All-Star break.

The righthander, who was pounded for 11 earned runs and 23 hits in his last two starts before the break, yielded three runs and five hits over seven frames in Friday's 11-3 victory over Boston.

His opponent will be the struggling Aaron Laffey (5-6, 3.61), who is still in search of his first road win this season - he is 0-3 with a 5.94 ERA in six starts away from home this season.

The lefthander, who has posted just one win since June 12, surrendered eight runs - three earned - and nine hits over a season-low 3 2/3 innings in the Indians' 8-2 loss Friday at Seattle.