Athletics at Angels
The American League’s lowest-scoring team, Oakland had totaled just four runs over a 34-inning span before matching that output in the eighth inning of Tuesday’s 5-3 win in Anaheim. The Angels had cruised to a 6-0 victory in the series opener Monday behind Jered Weaver, who combined with three relievers on a six-hit shutout. Tuesday’s triumph moved the Athletics ahead of Los Angeles and out of the American League West cellar.
The Angels were expected by many to challenge Texas for the division title, and perhaps the American League pennant, after signing three-time National League MVP Albert Pujols during the offseason, but the team has struggled to get much from the back half of its pitching rotation behind Weaver and newly acquired C.J. Wilson. Oakland, meanwhile, has gotten solid pitching but has been lacking offensively — the A’s have already been shut out three times in 2012.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, Comcast Sports California (Oakland), Fox Sports West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Bartolo Colon (2-1, ERA 3.72) vs. Angels RH Ervin Santana (0-2, ERA 7.71)
Colon — who was in and out of the major leagues for years before enjoying a resurrection of sorts last year in New York — has run hot and cold in his first three starts this year, all of which were against Seattle. He threw seven scoreless innings in his last outing, striking out five and allowing just three hits. Colon is 8-5 with three shutouts in 18 career starts against the Angels.
Santana has dominated the Athletics in the past, going 13-3 with a 2.00 ERA in 23 career appearances, but he has been roughed up in both of his starts this season, allowing 11 runs (10 earned) in just 11 2/3 innings of work. Most of Oakland’s current lineup has struggled against Santana, but SS Cliff Pennington is 9-for-17 (.529) with two doubles.
WALK-OFFS:
1. The Athletics have won 12 of their last 19 games against the Angels, including five of eight in Anaheim.
2. Angels stars Howard Kendrick, Kendrys Morales and Albert Pujols are a combined 2-for-13 against Colon. Kendrick (1-for-9) has had the most trouble.
3. Oakland ranks last in the American League in doubles (15) and is the only team in the league without a triple.