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Athletics-Angels Preview

Apr 11, 2010 - 6:36 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Oakland (4-2) at Los Angeles (2-4), 3:35 p.m. EDT

The slow start by the Los Angeles Angels may be concerning for the team's fans. It could be a lot worse if not for some late-game heroics by Hideki Matsui.

After delivering a game-winning hit in the last game, Matsui will try to help the Angels win two straight for the first time this season Sunday in the finale of a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics.

Los Angeles (2-4) avoided its worst six-game start since the franchise's inaugural 1961 season with a 4-3 win over Oakland (4-2) on Saturday as Matsui singled home the winning run with one out in the ninth.

It's the second time Matsui has provided the late hit. In the other Angels' victory - a 6-3 win over the Twins on Monday - the 2009 World Series MVP with the Yankees drove in the go-ahead run in the fifth and added an eighth-inning homer.

"It's the first of many," Torii Hunter said of Matsui's heroics. "I told you in spring training - the quiet assassin. He's the quietest clutch hitter in the game. He's so relaxed, man. Nothing really fazes him. Just think about all the people around him all the time. It doesn't bother him at all. He's used to that. I think that's why he's so dangerous."

Matsui leads the Angels in batting average (.417), homers (2) and RBIs (5).

While Matsui provided the heroics, Jered Weaver's solid start was just as big a factor in the team ending a four-game skid. He gave up one run and struck out seven in six innings after the Angels gave up 10 runs in each of their previous two games.

"I think today's win was very important," Matsui said through a translator. "Obviously, stopping the losing streak, but just with the way the game was flowing. ... If we would've lost this game it would've left a sour taste in everyone's mouth."

The loss snapped Oakland's four-game winning streak. The A's scored 22 runs over their previous three games, but were limited to six hits Saturday.

They'll try to bounce back Sunday when they hand the ball to Dallas Braden (0-0, 1.29 ERA), who was outstanding in his season debut, giving up one run and four hits in seven innings of a 2-1, 10-inning win over Seattle on Tuesday. He struck out a career-high 10, retiring 15 of 16 during one stretch.

"He had one of the best changeups he's ever had," manager Bob Geren said. "He threw many of them and still had them out in front."

The left-hander is 1-3 with a 4.36 ERA in five starts and four relief appearances against the Angels. He went 0-3 with a 6.35 ERA against them last season.

Los Angeles sends Joe Saunders (0-1, 9.00) to the mound hoping the left-hander can rebound from a disappointing season debut. He gave up five runs and eight hits - three home runs - over five innings of a 5-3 loss to Minnesota on Tuesday.

"The problem was that I was working behind in the count all night from the first pitch on. And in this league, you can't do that," Saunders said. "When they know a fastball's coming, they're going to hit it hard. And that's what happened tonight."

The left-hander has enjoyed facing the Athletics, going 9-3 with a 3.99 ERA in 14 starts. He's won five of his last six starts against them, including the two most recent.