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Athletics-Angels Preview

May 15, 2010 - 6:29 AM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

Oakland (18-17) at Los Angeles (15-21), 9:05 p.m. EDT

The Oakland Athletics are having major problems at the plate, and facing Ervin Santana probably won't help them. Justin Duchscherer, meanwhile, has excelled against the Los Angeles Angels.

Two pitchers with plenty of success against their opponents square off Saturday night when Santana and the Angels take on Duchscherer and the Athletics.

Oakland (18-18) has scored a total of two runs in losing three straight after managing four hits Friday in a 4-0 loss as Angels starter Joe Saunders went the distance. The Athletics are 2 for 20 with runners in scoring position during their skid.

It could be difficult to get untracked against Santana (1-3, 4.40 ERA), who has beaten Oakland more than any opponent. Santana is 10-2 with a 1.45 ERA in 15 career starts against the Athletics.

Although the right-hander has limited Kurt Suzuki to two hits in 23 at-bats, several other Athletics have fared well against Santana.

Eric Chavez is 8 for 25 versus Santana, and is expected to start after not being in the lineup the last three games with opponents starting left-handers. Outfielder Ryan Sweeney is 7 for 12 lifetime against Santana and could be back in the lineup after missing two games with an illness.

Santana is winless in his last four outings, allowing five runs over 6 2-3 innings Sunday in an 8-1 loss at Seattle.

Runs may also come at a premium for the Angels (16-21) against Justin Duchscherer (2-1, 2.89), who is 2-0 with a 1.37 ERA in three career starts against them in addition to going 4-0 with a 1.48 ERA in 21 relief appearances.

Duchscherer will be activated off the disabled list in his first start since he lasted 3 1-3 innings at Toronto on April 29 before leaving with a left hip strain.

"He's ready to go," manager Bob Geren told the Athletics' official website. "It's nice to get guys off the DL. He's an important guy to our club."

Saunders' effort Friday helped the Angels even the season series at two wins apiece. He outdueled Dallas Braden, who threw a seven-hitter in his first start since his perfect game Sunday against Tampa Bay.

The Angels scored all their runs in the sixth inning, capped by Hideki Matsui's three-run homer. Matsui entered in a 2-for-24 slump over his previous eight games.

Manager Mike Scioscia shuffled his lineup Friday, moving Howie Kendrick to the No. 2 spot with Bobby Abreu and Torii Hunter each moving down one slot. Hunter went 0 for 4 in his first start at cleanup.

"We changed it, the main reasons, looking at Bobby Abreu and Torii Hunter," Scioscia told the Angels' official website. "They've been hitting far too often with no runners on base."