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Angels look to continue winning ways against Tigers

Sep 3, 2008 - 3:20 PM LA Angels (84-53) at Detroit (66-72), 7:05 pm EDT

DETROIT (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels don't want to talk about their magic number. Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers probably don't want to think about their disappointing 2008 season.

The Angels, whose magic number to clinch the American League West is down to seven, will look to take a second straight game in a three-game set against the lowly Tigers on Wednesday.

"I couldn't even tell you what our magic number is," said Angels manager Mike Scoscia following Tuesday's 5-4 victory.

While refusing to gush about their virtually insurmountable 17 1/2-game cushion in the division, the Angels continue to play hard and have won seven of 10 and their newly-acquired slugger has had a lot to do with it.

Mark Teixeira's sacrifice fly in the ninth inning propelled them to Tuesday's win over the Tigers, who have dropped seven of nine.

Francisco Rodriguez earned a save while dancing around a single and a walk, notching his 54th in 59 chances. He is three shy of tying the all-time record, set by Bobby Thigpen with the Chicago White Sox in 1990.

Anaheim starter Jon Garland (12-8, 4.54 ERA) is 1-1 with a 6.87 ERA over his last three efforts and his ERA has risen from 3.76 in his last 10.

The Tigers will counter with Zach Miner (8-4, 3.46), who is 5-1 with a 2.68 ERA in eight outings since moving into the starting rotation in late July.

In those starts, he has yielded two runs or more twice and has pitched at least six innings in six of those.

Detroit, a favorable pick to come out as the top team in the AL prior to the season, is 11 games back of division co-leaders Chicago (77-61) and Minnesota (77-61).