ANGELS, ANDERSON IN SEVENTH HEAVEN ANGELS 10, TAMPA BAY 1.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Stepping into the batter's box in the sixth inning Thursday night at Tropicana Field, Garret Anderson already had hit a three-run homer, a double and a single. A triple away from hitting for the cycle for the first time in his career, the Angels' left fielder ripped a line drive to right-center field.

It went over the fence.

Anderson was kidded that if he didn't touch home plate and the play was appealed, he would have had the triple and the cycle.

``I wouldn't give up one of those to hit for the cycle,'' said Anderson, who tied a career-high with seven RBI in the Angels' 10-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. ``You get it the right way or don't get it at all.''

The two homers gave Anderson 23 this season, passing Troy Glaus for the team lead. The double was his 51st, most in the majors.

``The difference with those two (homers) tonight was we weren't at home,'' Anderson said. ``Those aren't home runs in our ballpark; they're doubles off the wall.''

Either way, it was more than enough for the Angels to complete the three-game sweep of the Devil Rays and win their seventh in a row overall. They have had winning streaks of seven or more three times this season.

The victory also moved the Angels closer to the idle Oakland A's in the American League West. They closed to within three games of the A's while increasing their wild-card lead over Seattle to four games.

Shortstop David Eckstein added three hits, extending his hitting streak to 12 games and raising his season average to .300. Angels starting pitcher Ramon Ortiz (12-9), coming off a shutout of Baltimore, gave up one run and six hits in seven innings.

Anderson has been the team's MVP this season, and in manager Mike Scioscia's eyes, Anderson should be considered for the league MVP.

``You look at his numbers (.311, 23 homers, 108 RBI) and what he does for the club, there's no question he deserves consideration for MVP,'' Scioscia said. ``A lot of guys are the cornerstone of the club like (Eckstein) and Garret. But (the MVP) is not a motivation for Garret. He's here to drive in runs, and he's doing it at a pace that puts him among an elite group in our league.''

If Anderson had a vote for MVP, he wouldn't pick himself.

``In my eyes, what I think the MVP is, no,'' he said. ``I think Alex (Rodriguez) is having a great year, playing every day, scoring runs, driving in runs, hitting home runs. That's my definition of an MVP.''

Rodriguez's Rangers, however, are pulling up the rear in the AL West and are winding down their season. Anderson seems to be warming up for the playoffs.

``I'm just trying to add on to what everybody else is doing,'' Anderson said. ``It's a different player every night.''

The Angels scored single runs in the first and third innings, but their lead was cut to 2-1 in the fourth when Aubrey Huff homered off Ortiz, who has allowed a major-league-leading 36 homers this season.

But after that, Ortiz shut down the Devil Rays through the seventh, handing it over to the bullpen.

``He made as many good pitches with his fastball in this game as he did his last game against Baltimore,'' Scioscia said. ``He located on the corners and had good movement. He can do a lot of things when he has command of his fastball.''

The Angels would like to see the same thing from Ortiz in his next start, which will come Tuesday in Anaheim against the A's.

``Now, I feel great,'' Ortiz said. ``I have a lot of power on my fastball. I'm consistent with my fastball, 94, 95 mph. I don't know why, but I'm more consistent with my fastball.''

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