Despite giving up two home runs to All Star catcher Joe Mauer, John Lackey and the Angels recorded a 6-3 victory at home against the Minnesota Twins on Friday night after a pair of home runs by Jeff Mathis (2-run HR), Robb Quinlan (solo shot), and Mike Napoli (3-run HR).

Lackey had a solid outing, as he pitched 7 2/3 innings with just two earned runs and four hits allowed. Rookie reliever Kevin Jepsen entered the game with two outs in the 8th to face Mauer with one runner on base and forced the Twins catcher into a ground ball out to third baseman Chone Figgins. Jepsen sealed the victory in the ninth after allowing just one run.

This win was the Angels’ seventh victory in a row, as they have lost just once since the All-Star break and are now a season-best 19 games over .500. Since June 12, they have gone 27-9, turning a 4 1/2 -game deficit in the standings into a 3 1/2 -game lead over the Texas Rangers.

Some thoughts to chew on

• With the Angels winning 11 out of their last 12 games, does it make sense to actively pursue a blockbuster trade?
• Has John Lackey finally turned the cover after a rough start to the season? Since June 12, he has a 3.24 ERA in 8 starts.
• Are the Angels a better team without Vladmir Guerrero in the lineup? With the way they’re playing and with Vladdy’s injury problems, is there any chance he returns to the team next season? 

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