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Scutaro's error difference as Angels drop A's

Apr 8, 2007 - 5:35 AM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- A throwing error turned out to be the difference between Dan Haren and John Lackey.

Garret Anderson scored on an error by Oakland Athletics shortstop Marco Scutaro in the sixth inning, providing the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim a 2-1 victory over their American League West Division rivals.

In a game that was played in a brisk 2 hours, 17 minutes, Lackey pitched seven brilliant innings and worked out of trouble in his final frame. He outdueled Haren, who also was tough through seven innings.

"I always know that when I pitch against them it's always going to be a battle, so I have to limit my mistakes," Lackey said. "I got myself into some trouble in the seventh inning, but I made some big pitches and got out of it."

Anderson led off the decisive frame with a double to left field. Casey Kotchman then grounded a ball up the middle that Scutaro cut off, but his throw to first got by first baseman Nick Swisher for a hit and error. Anderson scored on the play for a 2-1 lead.

"I just didn't get enough arm behind my throw and made it tough for Nick to make a good play on the throw, Scutaro said. It costs us the game, but I know I will make that throw most of the time on a play like that."

Oakland had its chance in the seventh after Eric Chavez led off with a double and Swisher was hit by a pitch. But Chavez was caught stealing third, Mark Ellis popped out and, after a single by rookie Travis Buck, Scutaro struck out.

"I led off the inning with a hit and gave us a chance to tie the game up, but I made a big base-running mistake and it cost us," Chavez said. "That was our inning to tie the game up or take the lead but we just couldn't get it done tonight."

Lackey (2-0) allowed a run and seven hits with no walks and six strikeouts.

"I did a good job keeping them off the bases tonight and throwing my pitches for strikes and getting ahead in the count," Lackey said.

Hector Carrasco pitched a perfect eighth, and Scot Shields gave closer Francisco Rodriguez a night off, working around a leadoff single in the ninth for his first save.

Haren (0-2) yielded two runs - one earned - and six hits in seven frames. The righthander had dropped his first two starts despite yielding just one earned run.

"I felt like I pitched a really good game and gave us a chance to win the game, but Lackey did a good job keeping our hitters off-balance," Haren said. "They have a really balanced lineup over their which makes it tough on any pitcher."