Athletics 3 - 0 Guardians
Final
  for this game

Anderson shuts down Indians; Hernandez hurts ankle

Aug 28, 2012 - 5:25 AM

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Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - Brett Anderson tossed seven impressive innings, and the Oakland Athletics rode an early offensive surge to a 3-0 win over the sputtering Cleveland Indians in the opener of a four-game series at Progressive Field.

Anderson (2-0) continued to show no ill effects in his second outing since returning from Tommy John surgery, limiting Cleveland to two hits -- one of which was disputed -- with two walks and five strikeouts.

The left-hander gave up one run and four hits over seven frames against Minnesota last Tuesday.

"The execution of pitches was probably a little bit more consistent last time," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "I think he though innings two through five he was really good with his execution, but his stuff looked really good, electric tonight."

Josh Reddick clubbed a leadoff home run in the second inning for the wild card contending Athletics, who have won nine of their last 11 games.

Cleveland starter Roberto Hernandez (0-3) worked only 2 1/3 innings before exiting with a right ankle sprain. He was tagged for three runs on four hits.

The Indians have dropped 11 of 12.

Oakland scored a single run in each of the first three innings.

The third frame was almost a carbon copy of the first, with Stephen Drew getting on base and Yoenis Cespedes hitting a booming double.

Chris Seddon then replaced Hernandez, the pitcher formerly known as Fausto Carmona, and gave up a two-out single to Chris Carter that plated Drew. The A's shortstop had scored on a Seth Smith sacrifice fly two innings earlier.

Anderson retired the first 13 batters he faced before Michael Brantley hit a grounder to the right side of the infield. The first baseman Carter flipped to Cliff Pennington, but Brantley was ruled safe by umpire Jerry Meals. Replays, however, showed Brantley was out.

"He had a good breaking ball and a good changeup," Indians third baseman Jason Donald said of Anderson. "He mixed really well. He definitely has enough life on his fastball."

The Indians got a "clean" hit when Brent Lillibridge doubled to begin the sixth. Jason Kipnis worked a two-out walk, but Donald grounded into a fielder's choice to end the inning.

Cleveland threatened again in the seventh, putting two men on base via a walk and an error. Anderson pitched out of the jam by fanning Shelley Duncan and retiring Lillibridge on a liner to right field.

Ryan Cook tossed a perfect eight for Oakland and Grant Balfour closed the door in the ninth for his 15th save of the season.

Game Notes

The A's recorded their 12th shutout of the year ... Hernandez, who is listed as day-to-day, took the mound at Progressive Field for the first time since September 25, 2011 ... Seddon allowed two hits in 4 2/3 innings.






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