Angels Vs. Orioles: Ervin Santana Roughed Up In First Inning In 6-2 Loss

J.J. Hardy and Mark Reynolds each homered in a five-run first inning off Ervin Santana, as the Los Angeles Angels dropped their second straight game to the Baltimore Orioles, 6-2 at Camden Yards. If the Angels are going to overcome long odds to make the postseason, they will need to ride their big three of Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, and Santana, but if this weekend series is any indication, the trio might be out of gas.

Haren allowed seven runs and couldn't get out of the sixth inning on Friday, and Santana allowed five runs in the bottom of the first on Saturday. He ended up adding six scoreless innings onto that opening clunker, but the damage was already done.

The Texas Rangers beat the Seattle Mariners 7-6, and now lead the Angels by four and a half games in the American League West, with 11 games remaining.

Jered Weaver starts the series finale for the Halos on Sunday morning, pitching on three days rest, facing Alfredo Simon.

For more Angels news and information, be sure to read Halos Heaven.

Angels Vs. Orioles: Saturday Starting Lineups

The Los Angeles Angels look to rebound from Friday's shellacking at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles, sending Ervin Santana to the mound on Saturday at Camden Yards. Santana is seeking his sixth straight road win, a streak which began with a win in Baltimore on July 22. Zach Britton starts for the Orioles.

In the cherry-picking statistics department, Halos' center fielder Peter Bourjos is one triple away from becoming the first Angels player ever with 25 doubles, 10 triples, 10 home runs, and 20 stolen bases in the same season. Known for his amazing defense, Bourjos has provided unexpected offense for the Angels, hitting .270/.324/.436, with an adjusted OPS+ of 114. Bourjos is in center field batting second Saturday night in Baltimore.

Here are the starting lineups:

Angels (82-68)

Izturis 3B
Bourjos CF
Kendrick 2B
Hunter DH
Trumbo 1B
Wells LF
Trout RF
Aybar SS
Wilson C

Orioles (61-88)

Angle CF
Hardy SS
Markakis RF
Guerrero DH
Wieters C
Davis 3B
Reynolds 1B
Reimold LF
Andino 2B

Saturday night's 4:05 p.m. PDT game will be televised by KCOP. For more Angels news and information, be sure to read Halos Heaven.

Ervin Santana Looks For Sixth Straight Road Win As Angels Battle Orioles

Santana allowed one run on three hits in a win over the Orioles in Baltimore on July 22.