(Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will try to collect their eighth straight win and at the same time try to complete a three-game sweep of the Oakland Athletics at McAfee Coliseum.

Ervin Santana will try for his third consecutive victory when he takes the hill this afternoon against the Athletics. Santana has been one of the biggest surprises in the majors this year and is currently 8-2 with an outstanding 3.02 ERA.

The last time the 25-year-old was on the rubber, he shut down the Mariners, leading the Angels to a 4-2 win over Seattle. In the victory, Santana limited the Mariners to just two runs on six hits in 7 2/2 innings of work.

Throughout his career Santana has completely dominated the Athletics, posting an outstanding 8-1 ledger with an equally impressive 1.25 ERA. Santana continued his reign over the A's earlier this season, as he limited Oakland to just one unearned on four hits in 6 2/3 innings. The right-hander struck out three in the win, while walking just one batter.

As for the A's, the oft-injured Rich Harden will stroll to the mound in hopes of grabbing his fourth win on the year. Harden, who missed some time in April, is 3-0 in six starts this year.

The last time Harden toed the rubber, he gave Detroit all it could handle, throwing 6 2/3 innings, limiting the Tigers to just two runs on five hits, while striking eight batters. Despite the strong outing, Harden did not factor in the decision.

In 11 career outings against the Angels, Harden has a mediocre 5-3 ledger with a 3.95 ERA.

On Saturday, Maicer Izturis started the game with a homer for a second straight night, and the Angels held off Oakland, 5-3.

Izturis had two hits, two RBI and scored three times as Los Angeles continued to win in tight situations. The Angels have won every game during their streak by one or two runs.

Jon Garland (6-3) struck out eight batters over seven-plus innings to remain unbeaten over his last seven starts, with three victories in that span. The right-hander allowed five hits and two runs, while walking a batter to get a rare victory over the A's, moving his lifetime mark to 4-9 against Oakland.

Francisco Rodriguez gave up a homer to Jack Cust in the ninth and faced more trouble, but escaped for his 26th save, including 23rd in a row, breaking his own team record.

The first-place Angels extended their lead to 5 1/2 games over Oakland in the AL West.

Travis Buck belted a two-run homer in the eighth inning for the A's, who had won four straight before this three-game set began on Friday.

Greg Smith (3-5) was saddled with the loss after surrendering six hits and five runs in 6 1/3 innings.

The Angels are the best road team in baseball, posting a 21-11 mark away from home. Meanwhile, the Athletics have a solid 20-15 ledger at McAfee Coliseum this year.