Escobar, Lackey and Santana should be back sometime in May to bolster a staff that has a 5.07 ERA after an 8-0 home win Sunday over the Mariners. The Angels , who visit the Oakland Coliseum for a two-game series next week, have used eight starting pitchers, one more than they used all of last season.
"Sooner or later, we'd like to start playing better Baseball. And if you're going to do it against your division, that's the best time," A's second baseman Mark Ellis said. "There's so many games left, but you definitely want to play well against teams in your own division."
BALTIMORE (AP) - It took 19 games for the Los Angeles Angels to do something every other team in the majors had already accomplished: notch consecutive wins.
Joe Saunders allowed two earned runs in six innings, Howie Kendrick homered, and the Angels beat the Baltimore Orioles 7-5 on Tuesday night to secure their first winning streak of the season.
Kendry Morales had two doubles and two RBIs for the Angels, who were coming off an 8-0 victory over Seattle on Sunday.
"I couldn't tell you when we had two in a row anytime, or when we lost two in a row or anything. We looked at the game we had on this night," Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia said. "And when this one's over, we'll turn the page and carry a little momentum into (Wednesday) afternoon's game."
The Orioles, meanwhile, were fuming after their second straight loss. Home plate umpire Angel Hernandez called a balk on Jamie Walker in the seventh inning after it appeared the left-hander picked off Maicer Izturis, and three batters later Morales delivered a two-run double to make it 7-4.
"It's a (terrible) call," Walker said. "I don't know if the guy's got something against me or what, but no way did I balk. It changed the whole game. ... It's unacceptable at this level."
Orioles manager Dave Trembley, who was ejected from the game for arguing the call, said, "Angel didn't see it. He didn't think he stepped good enough towards first base. I don't like it when somebody is wrong and they try to tell me they're right. They are umpires, they do a great job, but they are not always right."
Saunders (3-1) gave up four runs and 10 hits. The left-hander is 10-1 lifetime in April and 5-0 in his career against the Orioles.
The Virginia native had around 20 family members in the crowd cheering for him.
"I just love coming back here. My family's back here and I wanted to show them a good game," Saunders said. "It's not always going to be eight innings and no runs. They know it's not always easy. I am sure they're proud of me."
