Guerrero, batting .302 on the year, and Alex Rodriguez are the only two active players with 11 straight seasons with at least 25 home runs. If he remains at .300, he'll join Lou Gehrig as the only two players in history to have 25 home runs and hit at least .300 for 11 straight seasons.
"That says it all. When you're mentioned at all with Lou Gehrig in any way, shape or form it puts it into context the type of player you are," Scioscia said. "This guy is as good as any hitter who has ever been in the batter's box playing the game of baseball. He's been fun to watch."
It was Guerrero's 24th career home run against Seattle.
"It was just a changeup, left it up," Rowland-Smith said. "I was trying to bounce it up there. Every time I throw to him I try to throw it way in or bounce it."
Rowland-Smith (4-3) allowed two runs, one earned, and eight hits in seven innings.
Notes: Angels 2B Howie Kendrick came off the disabled list (strained left hamstring) and played for the first time since Aug. 27. He went just three innings before leaving. Scioscia said he'll rest him Tuesday, then play him five innings Wednesday. ... Guerrero played in his third straight game after missing six games with a sore right knee. Scioscia said he's "markedly improved" from a week ago but added that surgery "is something that Vlade is going to have to consider during the offseason. ... It doesn't mean it's a slam dunk it has to be done. It's up to the player." ... Mariners RHP Carlos Silva, who has had back issues, is expected to make his start Wednesday. "I'm going on the assumption that he's going to pitch," Riggleman said. ... Riggleman met with all his players on the field just before batting practice to stress that despite a tough season it's important to stay focused during this final week. ... Seattle OF Ichiro Suzuki singled in the third inning to extend his hitting streak to 15 games. ... Santana also won 16 games in 2006.
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SEATTLE (AP) - Ervin Santana's next start could be this weekend. It might be in the first round of the playoffs.
Whenever it is, the Los Angeles Angels right-hander should be brimming with confidence after Monday night.
MLB roundup
Tuesday's action
- Santana helps Mets stop slide
- Phillies fall to Hampton, Braves
- BoSox beat Tribe, clinch playoff berth
- Yanks win, but playoff hopes die
- Twins crush ChiSox, pick up ground
- Fielder's walk-off HR lifts Brewers
- Dodgers rout Padres, pull away in West
- Cards jump all over Johnson, D-backs
- Rays sweep O's, close to clinching East
- Greinke, Royals blank Tigers
- Nats snuff out Marlins' playoff hopes
- Rangers leapfrog A's in AL West
- Reds eliminate Astros from contention
- M's beat Angels, snap 12-game skid
- Rockies rough up Lincecum, Giants
More on MLB:
- Perry: Breaking down the playoff races
- Fraley: ChiSox on the verge
- Kriegel: Manny for MVP
- Rosenthal: Yost firing may ripple
Photo gallery:
- PHOTOS: September in full swing
- PHOTOS: Zambrano fires no-no
Family Friendly Ballpark Guide:
See what makes each ballpark special, inside and out, by touring the T-Mobile Family Ballpark Guide.
Milestone tracker:
Follow Randy Johnson's quest for 300 wins and Gary Sheffield's chase for 500 HR in the AT&T Milestone Tracker.
Santana and Francisco Rodriguez combined for a five-hitter, Vladimir Guerrero homered and the Angels beat the skidding Seattle Mariners 2-1 to set a franchise record for road wins.
Seattle has lost 12 straight games and is two away from tying the franchise record set in 1992.
