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Athletics-Angels Preview

Aug 30, 2009 - 6:11 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Oakland (56-72) at Los Angeles (76-51), 3:35 p.m. EDT

Although he has struggled at times this season, Los Angeles' John Lackey continued his domination of the Oakland Athletics last month.

After two poor starts kept him from career victory No. 100, Lackey looks to win for the sixth time in seven outings against the Athletics in the finale of a four-game series Sunday.

Los Angeles (76-52) will hand the ball to Lackey (8-7, 4.16 ERA) as it tries to snap out of its recent slump. The Angels entered last Sunday with a 6 1/2-game lead in the AL West, but Texas now trails by four as Los Angeles has dropped seven of 10, including two of three to last-place Oakland (57-72) in this set.

The Angels' latest loss on Saturday was particularly difficult. Los Angels wasted an outstanding start by Jered Weaver when the bullpen failed to protect a 3-0 lead en route a 4-3 loss. Jose Arredondo gave up three runs in one-third of an inning, while Rafael Rodriguez was charged with the blown save after giving up a run in the eighth.

The Angels are 2-4 against Oakland at home this season with the bullpen being charged with three of those losses. Manager Mike Scioscia and Weaver cited bullpen fatigue for the latest letdown. Los Angeles relievers pitched 6 1-3 innings Friday and have pitched 23 in the last six games.

"It got away from us at the end," Weaver told the Angels' official Web site. "Our bullpen's been used a lot lately. That's baseball. We've just got to go out tomorrow and get it down."

Lackey will be looking to get Los Angeles back on track and provide some rest for the bullpen, although he has struggled in his last two starts.

The right-hander has an 8.74 ERA in his last two outings, allowing five runs and a season-high 11 hits - two home runs - over six innings of a 5-3 loss to Detroit on Tuesday.

Lackey's history against Oakland shows he has a good chance to avoid losing three consecutive starts for the first time since 2006. He is 5-1 with a 1.84 ERA in his last six starts against the Athletics, including giving up three hits in nine innings to earn a 1-0, 10-inning victory July 19.

Lackey is 15-4 against Oakland, going 7-1 with a 2.41 ERA at home.

Brett Anderson (7-9, 4.35), who allowed two hits over eight innings in that July 19 game, will take the mound for the A's.

The rookie left-hander hasn't received a decision in two of his last three starts, including Tuesday against Seattle after he allowed one run and six hits in seven innings of a 4-2, 10-inning loss. The A's have lost Anderson's last three starts.

Oakland is looking to win its third straight series against the Angels. Rajai Davis had three hits and drove in two runs Saturday for the A's, who had two wins in eight games prior to this series.