John Froschauer / AP Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver of Simi Valley allowed one earned run in a career-high eight innings to secure the victory at Seattle on Wednesday.

SEATTLE — Before this AL West showdown at Safeco Field, Seattle mayor Greg Nickels declared "Mariners Monday" and called upon residents of the city to wear Mariners colors throughout the three-game series.

He might want to apply for federal disaster relief next.

The Angels completed a three-game sweep of the Mariners with an 8-2 victory Wednesday, extending their lead in the AL West to five games — the largest it has been since the end of June.

The Angels easily swatted away the Mariners' threat, thoroughly dominating them in the three games.

They outscored them 24-8 (with five of the Mariners' runs burped up by Ervin Santana in the first inning Tuesday), outhit them 43-23 and outpitched them as well. While the Angels batted .374 in the series, their pitchers held a Mariners lineup that had been hitting a robust .329 in August to a .240 average (23 for 96) the past three days.

After a performance like that in such a crucial series on their home field, the Mariners' status as serious challengers for the Angels' division lead has to be taken as seriously as most of the country views Dennis Kucinich's presidential candidacy.

"The way we stepped up the last three games shows what kind of team we are," Angels shortstop Orlando Cabrera said. "I don't think they have to worry about us. They have three other teams to worry about (in the wild-card competition).

"This series probably put in their heads that they need to be worried about the wild card — not the division. ... I think it's just leaving no doubt that we're a better team at this moment."

That's as close as anyone in the Angels locker room was willing to come to recommending last rites for the Mariners' division title hopes.

"Too many games left," Angels outfielder Garret Anderson said. "If we only had two or three games left then maybe you could say that.

"But I've seen too many crazy things happen to say anything like that."

Angels starter Jered Weaver (10-6) pitched into the eighth inning for the third time in 42 career starts — but the second time in his past four. The Simi Valley High graduate allowed just one earned run on seven hits while walking none and striking out five in a career-high eight innings.

After a late start to the season because of a tired shoulder (leftover from his rookie season), Weaver has found a second wind and some regained velocity.

"I was pumped up, ready to go for this start," Weaver said. "The last few starts I've felt like I'd gotten to where I was last year."

"Eighty-six to 88 (mph with his fastball) is not really where I wanted to be. I knew I had to do some extra work — some extra ... band work (strengthening exercises) — between starts. ... The last couple starts I've been between 90 and 94 mph."