Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - John Lackey pitched 7 1/3 strong innings, and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim edged the Tampa Bay Rays, 4-2, in the rubber match of a three-game set.

Lackey (3-1) scattered four hits and two runs, fanning seven and walking two as the Angels won for the ninth time in 11 games. Gary Matthews Jr. and Vladimir Guerrero each homered, and Maicer Izturis hit a key two-run single for the Angels, who have won eight straight series, the longest streak in the majors.

Scott Kazmir (6-2) retired the first 14 batters he faced, but ended up saddled with the loss after allowing three runs on six hits and three walks in 6 2/3 innings, despite striking out 10. Akinori Iwamura went 2-for-4 and scored for the Rays, who lost six times on their nine-game road trip.

"Kazmir was really good today," said Rays manager Joe Madden. "He's much more of a pitcher right now, totally under control."

The Rays took a 2-1 lead in the seventh, after Evan Longoria led off with a double, moved to third on a Willy Aybar groundout, and scored on a Dioner Navarro sacrifice fly to right.

The Angels answered in the home half, however, moving in front for good. With a runner on first and two outs, Robb Quinlan singled to left and Reggie Willits walked, loading the bases for Izturis, who came through with a clutch single up the middle. Two runs scored on the play, and the Angels took a 3-2 lead.

"I can focus better later in the game after I've seen a few pitches," said Izturis. "I noticed he's (Kazmir) always aggressive. He threw me fastballs early in the count. He then threw me a changeup and I was able to adjust."

Guerrero added an insurance run in the eighth with his leadoff blast to left, his 10th homer of the season.

Francisco Rodriguez worked around a two-out walk to Longoria in the ninth for his 27th save of the season.

Carl Crawford gave the Rays the early lead with an RBI single to left in the first, plating Iwamura, who led off with a triple to right-center.

Kazmir took a perfect game into the fifth inning, but Matthews ended that and any hopes of a shutout with his seventh homer of the season, a two-out shot to left that tied the game.