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(Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim take aim at their fourth straight win this evening when they open a three-game series with the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.
After losing the opener of their set with the Baltimore Orioles
(web | news) on Friday, the Halos claimed the final three games, including an 8-5 win on Monday in the finale at Camden Yards. Vladimir Guerrero homered twice and knocked in five runs, while Maicer Izturis and Kendry Morales each added home runs for the Angels, who won for the sixth time in the last seven games.
Ervin Santana (6-6) took the win for the third consecutive start after limiting the Orioles to three runs over six innings. He allowed seven hits, walked one and struck out five.
"We're swinging the bats well and today we combined some good starting pitching with driving the ball and you know, we held on," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Great to see Vlad get a hold of a couple, [Izturis]. We're at a point right now of trying to settle our pitching and as we keep moving forward, it's important for the offense to keep rolling."
Heading to the hill for the Angels tonight will be righty Trevor Bell, who will be making his second big league start. Bell did not get a decision in his debut against Tampa Bay, as the Rays managed four runs and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings of the 10-5 loss.
Opposing him will be lefty Fausto Carmona, who has lost his last three decisions and is winless since beating the Rays back on May 14. Carmona was charged with the loss on Wednesday against Texas, as the Rangers reached him for two runs and five hits in six innings, dropping him to 2-7 to go along with a 2.37 ERA.
In his three starts since returning from the minors, though, Carmona has pitched well, surrendering two runs or less in each outing.
Carmona is 0-1 in five games (two starts) against the Angels, despite a 0.96 earned run average.
Cleveland enters tonight's opener on the heels of taking the final two games of its three-game affair with the Minnesota Twins, including a 7-4 win in Sunday's finale.
Kelly Shoppach and Luis Valbuena hit back-to-back homers to spark Cleveland's six-run third inning in that one, while Grady Sizemore went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer to lead the charge offensively for the Indians, who had lost three in a row prior to this run.
Aaron Laffey (7-3) was credited with the win, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks through 5 1/3 innings.
The Angels took two of three from the Indians earlier in the year.
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