(Best E Casino) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will try to capture their seventh consecutive victory when they take on the Oakland Athletics in the second matchup of a three-game set at McAfee Coliseum.

Jon Garland will try to get back in the win column when he takes the hill tonight. Garland has just one victory in his last five starts and has not won since May 21st when he led the Angels to a 4-3 win over Toronto.

This past Monday the right-hander tossed just five innings against Toronto, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks. Garland, though, did not figure in the 4-3 win over the Blue Jays.

Garland has had little success against Oakland in his career, posting a meager 3-9 record in 14 starts. The 28-year-old's struggles against the A's continued earlier this season, as he was roped for seven runs on 10 hits in just six innings en route to the setback.

Much like his counterpart, Greg Smith has not enjoyed many wins over the past month and a half. In his last seven starts, the southpaw has only one win, compared to four losses.

This past Monday Smith struggled once again, surrendering seven runs on seven hits in five innings against Texas. Despite the poor efforts, Oakland still grabbed a 13-8 win, however, Smith did not factor in the decision.

Earlier this season Smith made his first ever start against the Angels, and although he pitched a solid game, he fell to the Halos, 2-0. In the loss, the 24-year-old surrendered two runs on just three hits in eight innings, and also struck out five batters.

Last night, John Lackey's dominance over the Athletics continued, as the right-hander pitched seven strong innings to help lead the Angels to a 3-1 win.

Lackey (2-1) allowed one run on four hits and struck out five to improve to 13-3 in 24 career starts against Oakland.

Vladimir Guerrero, who had missed the previous three games due to a hyper- extended right knee, had two hits and knocked in a run for the Angels, winners of a season-best six straight. Maicer Izturis belted a solo homer and Jeff Mathis drove in the other run for LA.

Joe Blanton (3-8) gave up three runs -- two earned -- on seven hits to absorb the loss for Oakland. Chad Gaudin hurled two perfect innings in relief.

Jack Cust's 10th home run of the season provided all the offense for the Athletics, who had a four-game winning streak snapped.