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Angels look to sweep three-game set against Yankees

Aug 10, 2008 - 7:09 AM NY Yankees (63-54) at LA Angels (73-43), 3:35 pm EDT

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are clearly on track to maintain their position as the major leagues' best squad. Meanwhile, the New York Yankees' quest to stay in the American League playoff race appears to be endangered.

Vladimir Guerrero and the heavy-hitting Angels look to complete a sweep of the Yankees on Sunday.

Guerrero's solo home run in the eighth inning sparked an eight-run rally as the Angels went on to record an 11-4 triumph on Saturday, leaving New York four games back of the Boston Red Sox (67-50) in the AL wild-card chase.

"We are playing good baseball right now, and I just hope we can come out (Sunday) and keep swinging the hot bats and sweep the series," Angels first baseman Mark Teixeira said.

After Jose Veras coughed up New York's 3-1 advantage in the seventh, Guerrero delivered his laser shot off Edwar Ramirez to spark the explosion.

Thanks to the outburst, the Angels cruised to their 25th win in their last 39 meetings with the Yankees.

Friday was just as disappointing for the Yankees, as Torii Hunter finished a triple shy of the cycle and the Angels battered them for 17 hits en route to a 10-5 triumph.

Joe Saunders (14-5, 3.03 ERA) takes the mound for his fifth straight start against an AL East foe. Over his last four outings, the All-Star righthander faced each the Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles twice and is 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA.

The last time the 27-year-old surrendered more than three earned runs in a start was on June 9, when he was tagged for eight runs and nine hits over 4 2/3 innings against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Andy Pettitte (12-9, 4.34 ERA) counters for the Yankees, looking to turn his recent fortunes around. The lefty has given up 14 runs and 17 hits in 10 1/3 frames over his last two outings.

On July 31, the Angels pounded Pettitte for nine runs and 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 12-6 victory.

The 36-year-old has worked into the seventh twice in his past nine games.