Two-run shot in ninth lifts Angels 6-4 over M's

SEATTLE — Vladimir Guerrero hit two home runs -- including a two-run shot in the ninth inning -- and the Los Angeles Angels moved closer to securing home field throughout the playoffs with a 6-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night.

Mark Teixeira had a one-out single off J.J. Putz (6-5) in the ninth. Guerrero then hits the first pitch from Putz into the bullpen in left for his 27th home run and his 36th multihomer game.

With the victory, Los Angeles (99-60) closed in on the best record in the American League and home-field advantage. Tampa Bay (96-63), which lost to Detroit 7-5 on Thursday, is three games back with three to play.

The Angels matched the franchise record for wins in a season, set by the 2002 team that won the World Series, and extended the franchise record for road wins with 50.

Jose Arredondo (10-2), who allowed a tying two-run homer to Yuniesky Betancourt in the seventh, was the winner.

Scot Shields finished the ninth to pick up his fourth save.

Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki single to left in the first, his 1,800th hit in his eight-year major league career. He is the quickest to that level for any player starting his career after 1954. He reached it in 1,277 games. Wade Boggs is second best at 1,352 games.

Betancourt walked then Raul Ibanez had an RBI single to center. With two outs, Wladimir Balentien doubled down the left-field line to make it 2-0.

Down 2-1 entering the sixth, Guerrero led off with a homer off Randy Messenger. The ball appeared to bounce off the glove of right fielder Balentien and into the stands then back onto the field. Mariners manager Jim Riggleman came out to protest but was satisfied by umpire Chuck Meriwether's explanation without going to a replay for the second straight night.

The inning continued with Torii Hunter singling to left. He stole second and advanced to third on Howie Kendrick's flyout. With the infield in, Gary Matthews Jr. hit a hard grounder to second baseman Luis Valbuena, who quickly threw home. But Hunter eluded Kenji Johjima's sweep tag for a 3-2 lead.

The Angels added a run in the seventh on a two-out single by Hunter.

Notes: Suzuki is seeking other milestones over the final weekend. He's after his fifth hit title in his eight seasons. He has 209 hits, two less than Boston's Dustin Pedroia. He needs seven hits to tie Isao Harimoto for the most hits by a Japanese player. Harimoto, who played from 1959 to 1981, had 3,085. ... Angels manager Mike Scioscia, who has two quality catchers in Mike Napoli and Jeff Mathis, is leaning toward certain tandems for the postseason. "I feel good interchanging those guys with anybody but the matchups on the pitcher-catcher end just really points to Ervin (Santana) and Jeff, who do a great job together, and Mike and John (Lackey)." Lackey and Santana will likely start the first two games.