Yes, Ichiro needs four more hits for his ninth consecutive 200-hit season, but as their right fielder chase history the Seattle Mariners would settle for a win.
Their four-game losing streak is their second-longest of the season, and this trip gets no easier when the team flies to Texas.
With 22 games remaining - including this one - the Mariners need 10 more wins to finish above .500 for the year. That's not a sure thing by any stretch.
Every win from here out is going to be tough, because Seattle is playing with the big boys, teams headed for or trying to make the post-season. They'll get no favors the rest of the way.
Tonight, it's Ryan Rowland-Smith vs. John Lackey.
Pitching duel
Lackey has faced 10 batters in the first three innnings, or one over the minimum - and struck Ichiro out twice.
Rowland-Smith? He gave up a first-inning bunt single, promptly got a double play and allowed an infield single off his glove in the third inning. He's faced 10 batters, too.
Through three: Zeroes all around.
Going, going ...
Gone! A two-run shot off the bat of Torii Hunter, his 20th of the season, coming with Vladimir Guerrero on board.
After four: Angels 2, Mariners 0
Run support, anyone?
Through six innings, Rowland-Smith has checked the Angels on two runs - that Hunter home run - and done so efficiently.
The Mariners offense? Four hits, three of them doubles, but a pair of double plays turned against them have ruined rallies.
Rowland-Smith will start the seventh inning, but without a couple of runs, he's going to lose no matter how far he goes.
That's three
Three runs isn't that big a deficit, unless Rowland-Smith is pitching.After giving up a third run in the seventh, Rowland-Smith's night is over - and Kenny G can probably play taps.
In Rowland-Smith's last 30 innings, the opposing starter has allowed Seattle one run.
Just one.
After seven: Angels 3, Mariners 0
In the ninth
John Lackey began the ninth inning with 100 pitches and needed four more to retire Ichiro for the fourth time tonight.
With two outs and and no one on, Lackey hit Lopez with a pitch.
This was his first shutout complete game shutout since 2007 - when he shutout the Seattle Mariners.
It's a final: Angels 3, Mariners 0
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