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Angels eye best mark in majors

Sep 16, 2008 - 1:29 PM LA Angels (92-57) at Oakland (69-80) 10:05 p.m. EDT

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- With a pair of major goals accomplished, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim still have something to play for.

The Angels look to stay on course to post the best record in baseball when they open a 10-game road trip against the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday.

Anaheim has won each of its last five games, reaching two milestones in the process. The Angels clinched the American League West title for the fourth time in five seasons with a 4-2 win against the New York Yankees on Wednesday.

Three days later, closer Francisco Rodriguez broke the single-season saves record, registering his 58th save during a 5-2 triumph over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday.

"This was a great week for the team," Angels first baseman Mark Teixeira said. "The whole week we had good pitching and had big hits."

The Angels are still in line to claim the majors' best record this season, with the Chicago Cubs (90-58) being their closest contender for that honor.

John Lackey (11-3, 3.25 ERA) hopes to keep Anaheim's win streak going when he takes the mound. Lackey has dominated the A's during his career, posting a 14-3 record and 2.67 ERA In 25 starts. He has been even better recently, going 8-1 with a 1.71 ERA in his last 10 starts against Oakland.

Sean Gallagher (1-2, 5.87) counters for Oakland. Gallagher didn't surrender any runs or hits against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday, but walked six in his first start since returning from the disabled list with shoulder fatigue. He did not factor in the decision as the A's claimed a 5-2 victory.