The Los Angeles Angels have had a productive offense of late, but they face a tough opponent Tuesday night in Felix Hernandez in the second game of their three-game series with the Seattle Mariners. The Halos counter with Ervin Santana, who is 11-5 in his career against the Mariners in 24 starts.
The Angels in their last 17 games have averaged 6.2 runs per contest, hitting .294/.347/.527 with 29 home runs. They are 12-5 during that span and have gained four and a half games in the American League West. Heading into play on Tuesday, the Halos are two and a half games behind the Rangers, who are in Tampa Bay to face the Rays.
One of the Angels' losses of the last few weeks came last Wednesday in Seattle, when they were shut down by Hernandez. The Angels held a 1-0 lead in the eighth inning, but a two-run double by Mike Carp made a winner of King Felix, who pitched a complete game with nine strikeouts. It is the only win for Hernandez this season against the Angels, despite three great starts. In 24 innings against the Angels this season, Hernandez has allowed five runs and two walks while striking out 27 batters.
One of those starts by Hernandez resulted in a win for Santana, who pitched into the ninth allowing one run in a 2-1 Angels' win. In four starts this season against the Mariners, Santana is 2-1 with a 2.83 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 29 innings. In his last 13 starts, Santana is 8-1 with a 2.31 ERA and has averaged 7.8 innings per start.
The Angels are 18-3 in their last 21 home games against Seattle.
Tuesday's 7:05 p.m. PDT game will be televised by Fox Sports West. For more news and information on the Angels, be sure to read Halos Heaven.