• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Santana helping Angels move closer to AL West title

Sep 4, 2008 - 10:11 AM LA Angels (84-54) at Detroit (67-72) 1:05 p.m. EDT

DETROIT (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are closing in on the American League West title and Ervin Santana has been a huge part of their success.

Santana goes for his fourth straight win when the Angels visit the Detroit Tigers on Thursday.

Anaheim owns a 16 1/2 game lead over the Texas Rangers (69-72) in the AL West and it appears to be only a matter of time until the Angels are celebrating their second consecutive division championship.

Santana (14-5, 3.31 ERA) hopes to put Anaheim one victory closer to a playoff berth by continuing his recent success. The 25-year-old righthander, who was selected to his first All-Star Game, is 3-0 with a 2.49 ERA during his last six starts, striking out 48 while walking six in 43 1/3 innings over that span.

Santana was dominant in his last outing, yielding one run, five hits and a walk in eight innings while striking out seven during Friday's 3-1 victory over the Rangers. However, he is 1-2 with a 10.29 ERA in three starts in Detroit.

Kenny Rogers (9-12, 5.23) hopes the Tigers' lineup can take advantage of Santana's poor record at Comerica Park and help the aging veteran snap a two-game personal losing streak.

Rogers, 43, has been pounded for 13 runs - 12 earned - and 16 hits in 12 innings during his last two starts.