(My Sportsbook) - Jarrod Washburn hopes to continue his amazing start to the season this afternoon when the Seattle Mariners go for a sweep in their three- game set with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium.

Since signing a lucrative free-agent deal with the Mariners before the start of the 2006 season, Washburn has lost 43 games and went through a dreadful 5-14 campaign a year ago. However, he has been magnificent through his first three starts this season, winning all three of his outings while surrendering just four earned runs in 21 innings.

Washburn, who hasn't opened a year 4-0 since his rookie campaign with the Angels in 1998, defeated the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, as he surrendered two runs and five hits in seven innings.

The 34-year-old lefty, who pitched the first eight years of his career in Anaheim before leaving for Seattle, defeated the Halos earlier in the year and is 5-5 lifetime against them with a 4.10 ERA in 11 starts.

On Saturday, Russell Branyan homered for a second straight game and drove in four runs, pacing Seattle to a 9-8 win. Branyan finished 3-for-5, as the Mariners win for the third straight time.

Ichiro Suzuki also had three hits and scored twice.

Carlos Silva (1-2), who had lost his last eight decisions dating back to last season, gave up six hits and three runs in five innings to get the win. He moved to 7-2 lifetime against the Angels.

David Aardsma surrendered a two-run homer to Torii Hunter in the ninth inning but still managed to notch his third save of the season.

Venezuelan right-hander Anthony Ortega (0-1) made his major league debut and was charged with five hits and five runs -- four earned -- over five innings.

Kendry Morales hit a solo homer for Los Angeles, which lost for the sixth time in eight games.

The injury-ravaged Angels turn to one of their healthy starters this afternoon in right-hander Jered Weaver, who is 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA. Weaver did not get a decision on Tuesday against Detroit, despite a solid effort, as he allowed three runs and seven hits in seven innings of his team's 4-3 win.

Weaver lost to Washburn and the M's back on April 15 and is 6-3 lifetime against them with a 5.22 ERA in 12 starts. However, he is 3-0 with a 3.57 ERA versus Seattle at home.

Seattle has won three of four from the Angels this season after dropping 14 of the 19 matchups to them last season.