=== Anaheim Angels Team Report - September 21 ===

(My Sportsbook) - With the AL West still up for grabs, the Anaheim Angels have very little room for error tonight when they continue a huge three-game set versus the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium.

Anaheim registered a 5-2 victory in the series opener to pull within 2 1/2 games of idle Oakland in the AL West. The Angels also sliced Boston's lead in the wild card race to 4 1/2 games.

Dallas McPherson went 3-for-3 with an RBI in his first major league start to pace Anaheim's offensive attack. Bengie Molina and Curtis Pride registered two hits apiece in the contest. In the second inning, the Angels broke a 19- inning scoreless streak.

Darin Erstad broke an 0-for-18 slide with a single in the fifth inning of Monday's game.

Pride replaced Vladimir Guerrero, who left the game in the first inning after a scary moment. He was beaned on the back of the head by a Ryan Franklin fastball and was down on his back for several minutes before getting helped off the field. Guerrero was taken to the hospital for precautionary X-rays, but was okay and returned to the team's dugout in the late innings.

John Lackey (13-12) held the Mariners to two runs on 10 hits over six solid innings to pick up his fourth victory in six decisions. He struck out 10 and did not walk a batter.

Troy Percival closed things out in the ninth for his 29th save.

Adam Kennedy left the game with a knee injury. Kennedy is questionable for tonight's contest.

The Angels are 73-21 when scoring four or more runs, and they are 54-22 when scoring first.

Anaheim, which is in the midst of a nine-game homestand, has tallied a 43-33 record at Angel Stadium this season.

Anaheim will have veteran righthander Aaron Sele on the hill tonight. Sele has split his last four starts, including a victory over Seattle last Thursday. The Golden Valley, MN walked five and struck out two in the winning effort. For the year, Sele is 9-3 with a 4.88 ERA.

Sele has pitched well against the Mariners this season, going 2-0 with a 4.00 ERA in four outings. For his career, Sele is 5-6 with a 5.21 ERA versus Seattle.

Anaheim is 13-5 against the Mariners this season, including a 6-2 home record. Since the start of last season, the Angels are 21-16 versus Seattle.