PENNY MAKES SENSE DODGERS PITCHER SHOWS ALL-STAR FORM VS. ANGELS FREEWAY SERIES: DODGERS 6, ANGELS 1.

Byline: DOUG PADILLA Staff Writer

ANAHEIM -- The Dodgers' 6-1 victory Friday night begged one question: What would the Minnesota Twins have done to the Angels if they played this week?

With the three-game sweep by the Twins behind them, the Dodgers were just glad to be near home, where things have gone much better.

The Angels have struggled no matter the venue and not even the recent comforts of an interleague series with the Dodgers has mattered this year.

The victory snapped the Dodgers' 15-game losing streak in American League ballparks, with their last victory before Friday coming in July of 2004 at Angel Stadium. The Dodgers also assured themselves of a winning record against the Angels for the first time since 1999 and just the second time since interleague play started in 1997.

Brad Penny scattered seven hits and had it not been for Kenny Lofton playing a shallow center field with Juan Rivera at the plate in the fourth inning, a scoreless outing was there for the taking. Rivera gave the Angels their only run with a double that bounced toward the center-field wall.

Penny now has won seven of his past eight decisions and nine of his past 11 starts as he continues to push himself toward an All-Star appearance later this month in Pittsburgh. He gave up the lone run over seven innings, without a walk.

``To me it's a no-brainer,'' Dodgers manager Grady Little said of Penny making the NL All-Star team. ``From what we've seen the first part of this season I don't see how there could be any question.''

Little wasn't the only one making an All-Star case for Penny.

``He's been pitching his butt off, 9-1 and I think a three ERA,'' catcher Russell Martin said. ``I'll be disappointed if he doesn't make (the All-Star team).

``He just had command of his stuff (against the Angels). He was accurate and his curveball had good bite. When he has that working for him, he's going to be good.''

Penny was as elusive after the game as he was during it. He bolted from the visiting clubhouse before talking to the media, saying he had a long drive. His goal was to exit the ballpark before the sold-out crowd that still was taking in a postgame fireworks show.

There was more than enough offense against Angels starter Bartolo Colon, who was making his third appearance since being reinstated from the disabled list June16. In those three starts, Colon has given up 11 earned runs and 29 hits.

``He settled down and pitched some fine middle innings to give us a chance to get back into it,'' Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. ``We just couldn't offensively pressure Penny very often.''

The Dodgers showed a balanced attack that wasn't present when the Twins had their way in Minnesota. Veterans J.D. Drew and Jeff Kent each had an RBI, and rookies Russell Martin and Andre Ethier combined for three RBIs.

Ethier delivered two of those RBIs on a home run in the eighth inning, his fifth, that put the Dodgers in control. After Matt Kemp followed with a single, Colon was removed.

``Kemp swung the bat well, Ethier continues to swing the bat well, Martin throws in a hit or two each game,'' Little said. ``They've been a lot of fun to watch.

``We like (our mix) more when they're all contributing at the same time. That's not always the case but we are very pleased.''

Colon gave up six runs (fiveearned) on 12 hits in 7 2/3innings. He did not allow a walk and had three strikeouts.

While it was hardly a game that was in suspense, it wasn't exactly the domination the Dodgers showed in a three-game series at Dodger Stadium in May. The Dodgers swept that series by a combined score of 31-7, including a 16-3 victory in the series opener and a 7-0 triumph in the finale.

The Angels say revenge for that series is not a motivator.

``I don't think there is anything that we're looking at as far as who we're playing,'' Scioscia said. ``We weren't playing at a high level that weekend we played up at Dodger Stadium. We've done a lot of things better over the last three or fourweeks, but were not as consistent as we need to be.

The Dodgers are now two victories away from the first season sweep by either team since they went 4-0 in the inaugural season of interleague play in 1997.

Orlando Cabrera continued his on-base streak, but only because he was hit by a Penny pitch in the first inning. Cabrera has now reached base by hit, walk or hit batter in 57straight games, tying the second longest streak since 1960.

It is the longest streak since Barry Bonds went 58 consecutive in 2003.

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CAPTION(S):

5 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) The Dodgers' Nomar Garciaparra is greeted in the dugout after scoring on Jeff Kent's single in the third inning Friday.

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

(2 -- 3 -- color) OH, BROTHER

The Angels reluctantly release Simi Valley's Jeff Weaver, above, so they can bring back little brother Jered Weaver, below.

(4) The Dodgers' Jeff Kent connects on a run-scoring single in the third inning against Angels starter Bartolo Colon.

(5) Surrendering six runs and 12 hits in 7 2/3 innings keeps the Angels' Bartolo Colon winless in six starts this season.

Keith Birmingham/Staff Photographer

Box:

ANGELS vs. DODGERS

- Doug Padilla