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(Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will try to win their third straight interleague series today, as they wrap up a three-game set with the Colorado Rockies at Angel Stadium.
On Saturday, Hideki Matsui blasted a grand slam in the first inning, providing all the necessary offense in the Angels' 4-2 win over the Rockies.
Matsui hit his sixth career grand slam and first since 2008 with the Yankees, as the Angels snapped a two-game losing streak and won for the sixth time in nine games. Additionally, LA avoided what could have been a three-game sweep, which marks the 76th consecutive home series in which the Angels have not been swept.
Joe Saunders (6-8) improved to 25-9 in his career following a team loss after allowing just two runs on four hits and two walks in seven strong innings. Brian Fuentes recorded his 13th save.
"I was working on stuff in the bullpen," Saunders said. "My curve ball and slider were working good tonight. I was just trying to be more consistent."
Clint Barmes homered for the Rockies, who lost for only the third time in nine games.
Aaron Cook (2-5) went the distance in the loss, allowing three earned runs, four hits and a walk. Following his shaky first inning that ended up costing him the game, he set the Angels down in order six times, giving up only two more baserunners -- both in the seventh.
"It was unfortunate for Cook because I feel that was as good as he's pitched all year," said Rockies manager Jim Tracy. "That was a winning performance, and he has nothing to show for it tonight."
Getting the ball for Colorado today will be Jhoulys Chacin, who is coming off his first win in nearly a month. On Tuesday, the right-hander ended a personal four-game skid by allowing just four hits over 6 2/3 scoreless innings of 2-1 win over Boston.
The 22-year-old, who has never faced the Angels before, has dropped three straight outings on the road, but still owns a solid 2.35 ERA away from home this season.
Ervin Santana will head to the hill for the Angels today trying to build off a solid outing on Tuesday. After allowing 10 earned runs over his two previous starts, the right-hander gave up just three earned runs and eight hits in seven innings of a 6-3 triumph against the Dodgers earlier this week.
In his only career start against the Rockies, Santana gave up two runs and four hits over seven innings. He left without a decision in a 6-2 home loss in 2006.
The Rockies have won four of seven in the series after the Angels took 12 of 13 meetings from Colorado.