MLB: Los Angeles Angels 6, Oakland 2

OAKLAND, Calif., July 17 (UPI) -- Ervin Santana allowed three hits over eight innings Thursday to bounce back from a poor start to the season and boost the Los Angeles Angels past Oakland 6-2.

Santana (2-5) had an ERA of 7.81 in eight starts prior to his domination of the Athletics. He struck out four and the lone run managed against him came on Matt Holliday's homer in the seventh.

Justin Speier relieved Santana to start the ninth and promptly loaded the bases on three straight singles. Brian Fuentes replaced Speier and gave up a run-scoring sacrifice fly to Holliday but retired the next two batters to end the game and grab his 27th save.

The Angels captured their fourth straight, the longest current winning streak in the American League, and extended their lead in the Western Division to two games over Texas.

Kendry Morales put Los Angeles in front with a two-run homer in the second and Chone Figgins had a two-run double during a four-run fourth.

Dallas Braden (7-8) absorbed the loss, giving up six runs on 10 hits in five innings.