Angels-Blue Jays Preview

5/22/2008 1:26 AM

By MIKE LIPKA
STATS Writer

Hits have been difficult to come by for the Los Angeles Angels this week in Toronto, while the Blue Jays haven't had any problems getting men on base.

But thanks to Vladimir Guerrero - and Toronto's struggles getting key hits - Los Angeles has a chance to complete a three-game sweep on Thursday behind Ervin Santana.

The Angels (28-20) managed only four hits on Wednesday, but two were home runs by Guerrero, including a three-run shot in the third inning that sparked Los Angeles to a 4-3 win.

Guerrero, who came into game with just four homers, also had an RBI Tuesday, when the Angels won 3-1 despite only five hits.

The Blue Jays (23-25), meanwhile, are hitting .294 in the series, compiling 20 hits. But they've stranded 21 men in the two losses, going just 4-for-21 with men in scoring position.

They rank last in the majors in that category, batting just .221, while the Angels are hitting .292 in such situations - second in the league.

"We're getting our singles and we're pecking away," Toronto catcher Gregg Zaun told his team's official Web site. "But we haven't been able to get that big blast from anybody to really put a game out of reach, or get us back into a ballgame. But it's coming. I know it is."

Guerrero's homers were also a long time coming. The former AL MVP came into the game hitting just .260, with only two home runs in his previous 35 games. But he hit a pair of tough Shaun Marcum pitches out of Rogers Centre, leaving the pitcher shaking his head - as he's done throughout his career.

"I saw the ball very well tonight," Guerrero said through a translator. "My swing felt great, comfortable. We needed the home runs tonight with so few hits. That's my job, to help the team, especially on a night like tonight."

"I don't think anybody around here forgets what he's capable of - and what he's going to do," first baseman Casey Kotchman told the Angels' official Web site.

Chone Figgins went 1-for-3 in his return from the disabled list, and Francisco Rodriguez notched his league-leading 19th save for the Angels. Rodriguez has converted his last 16 save opportunities, allowing a run in only one of them.

Santana (6-1, 2.97 ERA) will try to pitch Los Angeles to a fourth consecutive win. Joe Saunders was scheduled to start Thursday, but was scratched due to flu-like symptoms, and Santana is still on normal rest because of an off day.

After starting the year 6-0 with a 2.02 ERA in his first seven starts, Santana is 0-1 with a 6.94 ERA in his last two. He took his first loss of the year Saturday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, giving up four runs in six innings.

"If they had scored seven runs against me, I'd worry about it," Santana said. "But I'm perfectly fine. I'll just go and get it next time."

In his only visit to Rogers Centre, Santana allowed six runs in just four innings in May 2006.

He'll be opposed by A.J. Burnett (4-4, 4.71), who beat Philadelphia Saturday, allowing two runs in 6 1-3 innings and striking out eight. He's fanned 25 in 20 innings in his last three starts.

Guerrero is hitting just .206 with nine strikeouts in 34 career at-bats against Burnett, with most of those meetings coming when the two played for Montreal and Florida, respectively.

The Blue Jays haven't been swept at home by the Angels since July 2004.