Chone Figgins drove in the winning run in the ninth to complete a four-game sweep of the Mariners at home this weekend.
The Angels managed 10 hits without their usual lineup, with Vlad, Hunter, and Rivera out and Freddy Sandoval making his big-league debut at third, with Figgins moving to the DH spot. Morales started in right and drove in the Angels first two runs with a two-RBI single in the first. Felix Hernandez then shut the Angels out until the sixth when Mark Teixeira drove a solo homerun to center. The Mariners tied it in the eighth but the Angels got the win when Sean Rodriguez tripled in the ninth and scored on Figgins’ walk-off single.
Ervin Santana held the Angels to two runs through seven but failed to get the win when the Mariners tied it in the eighth. He left with the lead after seven, giving up two runs on six hits while striking out three which notches him up to 200 strikeouts for the season, a career-high for Santana. Scott Shields took the blown save when he gave up a two-out RBI-single to tie it. Jose Arrendondo earned his ninth win after throwing the ninth.
The Angels have now won seven of eight, and in that span they have clinched the division while also witnessing K-Rod break the single-season saves record. The Angels will get their last off day of the regular season on Monday before heading out on a 10-game road trip beginning in Oakland. John Lackey will take the mound on Tuesday and face Sean Gallagher. Lackey will be well rested and looks to extend his record to 3-0 against the A’s while Gallagher will be making his second start from coming off the DL.
