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Angels Go For Sweep Of A's

(Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim play their final tuneup before the postseason this afternoon when they wrap up the regular season against the Oakland Athletics at the Coliseum.

The American League West champion Angels will continue their season later this week with a best-of-five ALDS matchup with the Boston Red Sox, but they have a chance to go into the postseason on a real high note today, as they try and complete a three-game sweep of the A's.

On Saturday, Robb Quinlan went 2-of-4 with three runs batted in, while Scott Kazmir tossed five scoreless innings, as Los Angeles picked up a 4-2 win.

Kazmir (10-9) gave up just three hits while fanning three and walking one to take the win for the AL West champions, who have won six of seven. Since coming over from Tampa Bay in late August, Kazmir is 2-2 in six starts for the Angels.

Brian Fuentes picked up his MLB-best 48th save of the season.

Gary Matthews drove in a run for Los Angeles, which also won the series- opener. Erick Aybar went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, while Juan Rivera had a pair of hits and scored for the victors.

"It's really nice to get that winning attitude back. It's always good to get that attitude back and win games, and hopefully it carries over to the playoffs," Quinlan said.

Dana Eveland (2-4) lasted just 4 2/3 frames, allowing four runs on eight hits to take the loss for the Athletics, who have lost a season-high six games in a row. Eveland dropped to 0-3 in six career starts versus the Angels.

"Over our last six games, we have ran into some really good pitchers. It's a tough break but we're going to hang in there, keep fighting, and try to win tomorrow," Eveland said.

Rajai Davis went 2-for-4 with an RBI for Oakland, which had five hits in the game. Eric Patterson drove in the other run in defeat.

Heading to the hill for the Angels this afternoon will be left-hander Joe Saunders, who has won his last six decisions. Saunders' latest win came on Sunday against Oakland, as he allowed three runs and seven hits in six innings to run his record to 15-7 to go along with a 4.62 ERA.

Saunders is 8-3 lifetime against the A's with a 4.01 ERA in 13 starts.

Oakland, meanwhile, turns to one of its young arms in 26-year-old righty Edgar Gonzalez, who is 0-4 with a 5.51 ERA. Gonzalez was charged with the loss on Sunday against Saunders in LA, as he was hit for five runs and seven hits in five innings.

Anaheim has gone 7-1 at the Coliseum so far this season and has won 11 of its 18 overall meetings with the A's in 2009.

Oakland Athletics

News

Oakland Athletics closer Andrew Bailey and Florida Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan have been named the Jackie Robinson Award winners as the top rookies in the American and National League, respectively, as voted on by members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Scoreboard

Sun, Oct. 4 FINAL
LA Angels (95-65) 5
Oakland (75-85) 3

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