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Angels go for fourth straight win Sunday

Aug 31, 2008 - 8:09 AM Texas (66-71) at LA Angels (83-52) 3:35 p.m. EDT

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- With the division race a forgone conclusion, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are playing for the best record in the American League. They will look to move one step closer to that goal with their fourth straight win on Sunday against the Rangers.

The Angels trail the Tampa Bay Rays (83-51) by one-half game in the race for the best record while owning an 18-game lead over the Rangers in AL West.

Anaheim earned a come-from-behind win on Saturday, scoring two runs in each the fifth and sixth innings to post a 4-3 triumph over Texas. Francisco Rodriguez picked up his 53rd save in the win - four shy of tying the all-time single-season record.

Kevin Millwood (8-7, 4.95 ERA) will be looking to put together his third consecutive complete game. The veteran righthander has had a mostly forgettable season, with two trips to the disabled list and a 6.78 ERA and .341 batting average against from late April until mid-August.

But Millwood has been attempting to salvage what's left of the season over his past two starts, allowing one run in each while posting complete-game wins over Kansas City and Detroit. The 33-year-old has faced the Angels twice this season, allowing six runs and 21 hits in 13 innings without factoring in either decision.

Anaheim will counter with ace John Lackey (11-2, 2.95). The righthander has not suffered a loss since July 5 and is coming off a complete game of his own on Tuesday, when he allowed one run and seven hits against the Oakland Athletics.

Lackey has struggled against Texas in his career, owning a 9-8 record with a 5.39 ERA in 24 starts, including an outing on July 10 in which he allowed six runs and 15 hits in 5 2/3 innings but did not factor in the decision.