Los Angeles Angels Follow Mark Trumbo and Dan Haren to Defeat Mariners Monday

Mark Trumbo hit his 26 home run of the year for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Monday night to provide a Labor Day Victory over the Seattle Mariners in game one of a three game series. Dan Haren was less than sensational but enough to gain the victory for the halos 7-3 grabbing his 14 win of the 2011 season.

The key in the Angels' series against the managers continues to be slowing down the bats of Miguel Olivo and Justin Smoak. These two Mariners have hot bats and motivation despite the playoff positioning of their team. These two Mariners have the capacity to extend at bats and clean up in key situations define the success of the Mariners.

In one of the few pennant races still to be decided in Major League Baseball, the Rangers lost a whole game Monday after a loss precluding an Angels victory that evening. The Rangers hold a slip 2.5 game lead in the American League West.

With only one base runner allowed following Dan Haren's exit from the game, relievers Bobby Cassevah and Hisanori Takahashi finished the game. Cassevah has become a bright spot in a frequently dimly lit Angels' bullpen this season. Pitching will be the key to holding close games with the lack of support runs from the Angels offseason this year. 

After the game, I caught up with Dan Haren in the Angels' locker room. He said, "This game, I felt like I threw as bad as I have all year -- and I won." Haren shares fellow starter Jered Weaver's dedication for quality outings every time out and often reveal disappointment when their performances do not meet their high standards. 

The  Angels will need to continue to add support for their starters to have a chance at taking down Texas in the AL West. The youth of Mike Trout, Peter Bourjos, and Mark Trumbo will all be crucial spark plugs for a chance at the post season this year.