Athletics 3 - 0 Guardians
Final
  for this game

Athletics, Indians commence four-game set

Aug 27, 2012 - 2:38 PM

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(Sports Network) - Brett Anderson tries to follow up a terrific season debut on Monday when the Oakland Athletics begin a four-game series with the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.

Anderson made his first start on Tuesday after missing more than a year recovering from Tommy John surgery and was terrific in beating Minnesota, as he allowed a run and four hits in seven innings. He also struck out six without walking a batter.

The left-hander has faced the Indians three times and is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA.

"Just getting out there and getting on the mound again, throwing a pitch in the big leagues is kind of a relief," Anderson said on Tuesday. "I don't think I could have scripted a better performance really, all things considered. The big thing is helping the team win a ballgame, and hopefully I can continue to do that."

Cleveland will counter with righty Roberto Hernandez, who has lost his two starts this season and has pitched to a 6.75 ERA. Hernandez lost to Seattle on Tuesday, surrendering four runs and three hits with two walks in six innings.

"It was unfortunate, because I thought that Hernandez -- our Hernandez -- threw the ball very well, too, and matched up pretty good against Felix," Indians manager Manny Acta said.

Hernandez is 4-6 lifetime versus the A's with a 4.91 ERA in 12 games (11 starts).

He will be trying to help Cleveland bounce back from a series loss to the New York Yankees over the weekend that culminated with a 4-2 setback in Sunday's rubber match.

Ubaldo Jimenez (9-13) yielded three runs on eight hits and a walk over five frames to take the loss.

"I just couldn't find the strike zone or a good rhythm in the beginning," said Jimenez. "But after three innings of so I felt a lot better and was able to get some outs and keep it close."

Carlos Santana knocked in both runs for the Indians, who have lost 10 of their last 11 games.

Oakland, meanwhile, had a rare Sunday off thanks to the Republican National Convention converging in Tampa. The A's, though, took two of three from the Rays and are tied with the Baltimore Orioles for the final wild card spot in the AL.

The A's are 32-15 since the end of June and are a season-high 12 games over .500, something they haven't been since the end of the 2006 season.

Oakland has won four of six from the Indians this season.






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