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Guerrero close to joining elite company

Sep 23, 2008 - 1:55 PM LA Angels (97-59) at Seattle (57-99) 10:10 p.m. EDT

SEATTLE (Ticker) -- Vladimir Guerrero is in line to join Lou Gehrig as the only players in major league history to hit over .300 with 25 homers or more in 11 consecutive seasons.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim slugger looks to move a step closer to that milestone Tuesday when the club continues its series against the Seattle Mariners.

Guerrero, 32, homered and logged three hits as the Angels won their fifth straight on Monday with a 2-1 win in the opener. The lifeless Mariners have lost 12 straight and are now an eye-popping 40 games behind the Angels, who own the majors best record.

Guerrero's blast was his 390th and moved him into a tie for 49th place on the all-time list with Graig Nettles. His three-hit performance lifted his batting average to .302 and kept alive his chance of matching Gehrig..

"That was a big home run for him," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Anytime you are mentioned with Lou Gehrig it puts into context how good you are. (Guerrero's) one of the best hitters, I think, that's ever stepped into the box."

Guerrero hopes to continue his assault on the record books against Seattle starter Ryan Feierabend (1-4, 7.25 ERA), who will try to stop the Mariners' longest losing streak since September 2-18, 1992, when they dropped 14 straight.

Feierabend was pounded for eight runs and six hits in 3 1/3 innings on Thursday, walking three while striking out two en route to a 12-0 loss to the Kansas City Royals.

Jered Weaver (11-10, 4.16) counters for the Angels. Weaver allowed one run and six hits in six innings on Wednesday, but did not factor in the decision as Anaheim dropped a 3-2 decision to the Oakland Athletics.