Williams wins fourth in a row in beating Seattle

Collin Cowgill #19 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim scores in the second inning against the Seattle Mariners in Anaheim.
Angels starter Jerome Williams went 5 2/3 innings and allowed one earned run on five hits and five walks while striking out five to earn his fourth consecutive victory.
From left to right, Los Angeles Angels Mark Trumbo, Chris Iannetta and Collin Cowgill celebrate after scoring on a Grant Green double against the Seattle Mariners in the second inning in Anaheim.
Seattle Mariners catcher Henry Blanco, left, waits for a throw that does not come as Los Angeles Angels Collin Cowgill is one of three runs to score on a hit by Angels' Grant Green in the second inning in Anaheim.
Los Angeles Angels' Grant Green celebrates with teammates, including manager Mike Scioscia, left, and outfielder Mike Trout, center, as he scores on an Andrew Romine single after doubling in three runs earlier against the Seattle Mariners in the second inning in Anaheim.
Los Angeles Angels' Collin Cowgill, right, is congratulated by coach Dino Ebel while rounding the bases on a solo home run against the Seattle Mariners in the fourth inning in Anaheim.
Collin Cowgill #19 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim is congratulated by teammate Andrew Romine #7 after hitting a homerun in the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners in Anaheim.
Jerome Williams #57 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim leaves the game in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners in Anaheim.
Collin Cowgill #19 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim is congratulated by his teammates after scoring in the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners in Anaheim.
Los Angeles Angels' Andrew Romine misses for a strike as the ball sails over Seattle Mariners catcher Henry Blanco, allowing Collin Cowgill to steal home, in the seventh inning in Anaheim.
Seattle Mariners' Nick Franklin slides into third as Los Angeles Angels third baseman Andrew Romine misses the throw in the eighth inning in Anaheim.
Los Angeles Angels reliever Ernesto Frieri and catcher Chris Iannetta celebrate their 6-5 victory over the Seattle Mariners in Anaheim.

By Orange County Register | Orange County Register

September 21, 2013 at 9:29 p.m.

ANAHEIM – If Jerome Williams is pitching for a 2014 contract this month, he’s doing a pretty good job of it.

The Angels right-hander won his fourth consecutive start Saturday night, 6-5 over the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium.

Raul Ibanez’s ninth-inning homer off Angels closer Ernesto Frieri made it close, and it also tied Ted Williams for the most homers in an age-41 season at 29.

It was the Angels’ 21st victory in their past 28 games, but they were already eliminated from the Wild-Card race by Tampa Bay and Cleveland victories before Williams (9-10) threw his first pitch.

Grant Green’s three-run double was the big hit in the Angels’ four-run second inning against Joe Saunders (11-16). It was only the fifth hit in 43 at-bats off left-handed pitching for Green, who came in raking right-handers at .330.

Collin Cowgill’s fourth-inning homer gave the Angels a 5-1 advantage. He tripled in the seventh and stole home when Saunders pitched wildly on a squeeze-bunt attempt by Andrew Romine.

Williams went 5 2/3 innings and allowed one earned run on five hits and five walks while striking out five. His 24th start this season made him the first Angel since Rudy May in 1969 to start 24 games and relieve in 12 during one season.

“First of all, you have to appreciate what Jerome has done,” Manager Mike Scioscia said before the game. “He’s done everything we’ve asked of him.

“He’s been selflessly taking whatever role he’s been given, and gone out and given his best.”

Williams bounced from rotation to the bullpen and back many times while the new starters the Angels brought in this year, Joe Blanton and Tommy Hanson, went through their trials and tribulations, and Jered Weaver went down early with a broken left elbow.

While Williams is finishing strong, Blanton hasn’t pitched since Sept. 3. Hanson hasn’t pitched since his Sept. 16 recall from Triple-A Salt Lake. But Blanton, 32, is signed through 2014; Hanson, 27, and Williams, 32, are eligible for arbitration..