With the Los Angeles Angels only a few games shy of first place in the AL West, they were in desperate need of a series split with the Seattle Mariners. Thanks to homers from Torri Hunter and Howie Kendrick the Los Angeles Angels they got just that, helping cover the struggles of a wild Ervin Santana in a 4-3 Halos victory at Safeco Field.
Hunter's three-run shot in the first got the Angels off on the right foot, While Kendrick's in the third was just enough to keep the Mariners at bay.
Santana (W 11-9) was a bit on the wild side walking a season-high seven Mariners, plating two of them. Santana lasted for 6 2/3 innings, one of his shortest outings in recent memory, allowing four hits and three runs, striking out five along the way.
The Mariners lone rally would come in the third with a Ichiro RBI double after Santana walked the first two batters, followed by a Dustin Ackley RBI single. The bullpen kept Seattle at bay, holding them hitless the last two and 1/3 innings. Jordan Walden worked the ninth for his 27th save, fanning one in his 16 pitch effort.
With the win the Angels move to 74-63 on the year, 3.5 games behind Texas in the division. Full box score can be found here.
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