Angels 4 - 2 Athletics
Final
  for this game

Angels, A's set for doubleheader in Oakland

Jul 16, 2011 - 3:17 PM (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will try to keep pace with the red-hot Rangers in the AL west division when they battle the Oakland Athletics in a doubleheader today at the Coliseum.

Last night, Josh Willingham went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer in the third inning to lead the Athletics to a 5-3 win over the Angels in the opener of a four-game series.

Jemile Weeks, Conor Jackson and Hideki Matsui picked up RBI singles for the Athletics, who snapped their four-game skid.

Brandon McCarthy (2-5) worked 5 1/3 innings to record his first win since April 10 against the Minnesota Twins. Andrew Bailey tossed a perfect ninth to earn his ninth save of the season.

Erick Aybar went 2-for-5 with an RBI double, while Mike Trout recorded his first career RBI for the Angels, who had their four-game winning streak snapped and are 2 1/2 games behind Texas in the AL West.

Dan Haren (10-6) went 6 1/3 innings, giving up four runs on 10 hits.

The starting pitcher for the American League in the All-Star game will head back to the mound for the Angels in the first matchup of the double-header.

Jered Weaver has been one of the most dominating hurlers in baseball this season, and before the break he tossed his fourth complete game en route to a victory over Seattle.

Weaver allowed just one run in the win, and also struck out six batters. It was the fifth straight outing that the hard-throwing right-hander held the opposition to one run or less.

Earlier this season the Angels' ace held the Athletics to just one run in seven innings, but despite the sensational performance he did not factor in the decision. That has happened a lot for Weaver against Oakland. In 17 career starts against the division rival, the All-Star is just 4-6 with a 3.02 earned run average.

The Athletics will turn to Trevor Cahill, who is still trying to get back on track and will toe the rubber in the first game. Since opening the season with a 6-0 ledger in eight starts, the young hurler is just 2-7 in his last 12.

However, it is not just due to poor pitching, but the fact that Oakland tends to slack off in the run support category has also played a significant role.

The last time Cahill was in action the right-hander once again fell victim to a lack of run support, as he held Texas to only two runs in 7 2/3 innings. However, the A's could not find the scoreboard and left Cahill high and dry.

Earlier this season Cahill was tagged for four runs -- three earned -- in six innings against Anaheim. The veteran lineup was a problem for the young twirler, as Cahill allowed 10 hits and also walked five batters.

However, in eight starts against the Angels, Cahill has held his own, posting a 4-2 ledger with a very strong 2.13 earned run average.

In the nightcap, the Angels will hand the ball to Ervin Santana, who has just one victory in his last eight starts. However, the lack of wins are not because of Santana's efforts. In those eight starts, the right-handed hurler has allowed more than three runs only twice and has pitched less than six innings only once.

The last time Santana was on the mound he held the Mariners to just three runs on six hits in seven innings. Santana struck out six batters, but did not factor in the decision.

The veteran hurler has dominated the division foe in his career, posting a 13-3 ledger in 22 appearances. One of those wins came earlier this season when he held the A's to just one run through six innings.

The Athletics will turn to Rich Harden, who is back for his second stint with the club. Harden won his first start on the year, but his second, and most recent outing, did not go as planned.

In five innings against Texas, Harden was tattooed for five runs on eight hits and two walks.

In 14 career starts against Anaheim, the hard-throwing right-hander is 6-3 with a mediocre 3.76 earned run average.

Oakland is 6-4 against the Angels this season.






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