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Angels top standings on strength of home record

Aug 12, 2008 - 1:03 PM Seattle (45-73) at LA Angels (74-43) 10:05 p.m. EDT

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are fortifying their position as the top team in the majors by dominating at home.

The Angels go for their fifth straight win here when they begin a series against the lowly Seattle Mariners on Tuesday.

Anaheim owns the best record in the majors and improved to an American League-best 45-17 at home with a three-game sweep of the New York Yankees over the weekend. The Angels are 14-3 in their last 17 games at Angel Stadium, posting a .316 batting average and scoring 111 runs over that span.

The bullpen has also been key to Anaheim's recent home surge, posting a 7-0 record and 1.93 ERA in its last 16 appearances at Angel Stadium. Anaheim's relievers will have to be ready on Tuesday when Jon Garland (10-7, 4.28 ERA) takes the mound.

Garland has lasted seven innings just once in his last five outings, posting a 2-2 record and 6.51 ERA in that stretch.

Another struggling starter, Jarrod Washburn (5-11, 4.76) counters for the Mariners hoping to avoid a third consecutive loss.

Washburn has been pounded for 10 runs - nine earned - and 14 hits in 10 2/3 innings during his last two outings after yielding just four earned runs in his previous three starts.