Final Score in Anaheim: Angels 3, Mariners 0
On the heels of a complete game shutout by John Lackey, the Angels swept the Seattle Mariners and extended their division lead to 5 games over the Texas Rangers, reduced their magic number to 19 and look forward to a weekend at home with Ozzie Guillen's White Flag - err, Sox.
Tonight's highlights are short and sweet:
Lackey :CG, 0 R, 7 K, 1 BB, 5 H, 1 HBP
Torii Hunter 2-Run Homer
Howie Kendrick 3 for 3 scoring a late insurance run
Erick Aybar driving in the t3rd run of the night late with a 2-out double down the line.
Lackey told Jose Mota in the postgame interview that he did nothing special in his bullpen warm up, that his arm strength is great since a Spring training strain kept him for the first two months of the season, and that he feels great and is back to normal. With his eyes on the postseason the ace of the Angels staff said, "It's time to roll." But the postgame show made sure to run the Scioscia propaganda machine with a feature on the great Jeff Mathis calling the game. Ludicrous behavior on a night that was all Lackey.
In sweeping the Mariners the Angels only allowed runs on solo homers for the whole series. Monday saw Matt Palmer get his 10th win of the season in relief, Tuesday's victory was Jered Weaver's win was his 15th and Lackey's gem was his 10th win of 2009.
