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Angels look for third straight win in series over Yankees

Aug 2, 2008 - 10:26 AM LA Angels (69-40) at NY Yankees (59-50), 3:55 pm EDT

BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim probably don't want their current road trip to end. The major leagues' best team is 7-1 against the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox and their current victim - the New York Yankees.

Anaheim looks to win its third game in a row against the Bronx Bombers on Saturday, but will be without scorching Torii Hunter.

Hunter will miss the remainder of the series to travel to Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to attend the funeral of his grandmother, who passed away last Friday.

Hunter has propelled the Angels, who are riding a five-game winning streak, to victories in the first two games of the series.

Hunter and Juan Rivera hit three-run home runs in the third inning as they roughed up Andy Pettitte en route to a12-6 romp on Thursday. On Friday, Hunter drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth against Mariano Rivera for a 1-0 triumph.

Anaheim starter Ervin Santana tossed eight sterling innings, allowing five hits while striking out eight. Sidney Ponson, his cournterpart, tossed seven scoreless frames and gave up two hits and four walks.

Francisco Rodriguez pitched a perfect ninth to notch his major league-leading 45th save.

Mike Mussina (13-7, 3.56 ERA) takes the mound for the Yankees, who have dropped five of six. Before the 39-year-old surrendered six runs and eight hits in five innings against the Orioles on Monday, he went five games without allowing more than two runs.

The Angels will counter with Jered Weaver (9-8, 4.11), who defeated Boston in his last start on Tuesday, but was forced out after 5 2/3 innings with discomfort in his right shoulder.

Prior to the game, Yankee Stadium will host its 62nd Old-Timer's Day.