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Harden, Santana to face off in likely pitchers' duel

Jul 1, 2008 - 2:42 PM Oakland (45-37) at Los Angeles (49-34) 10:05 pm EDT

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Ervin Santana has done his share of dominating opponents this season. On Tuesday, he'll have to face someone that has been even better.

Rich Harden will attempt to maintain his incredible start to the season when the Oakland Athletics continue their three-game series against Santana and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Harden (5-0, 2.15 ERA), whose 11 starts this season match the total he has made in the last two seasons combined, took the mound just 14 times - including 11 starts - during the 2006 and 2007 seasons as shoulder injuries continued to hinder him.

A similar path appeared likely for Harden this season when he went to the disabled list yet again with a right shoulder strain after his second start of this season. However, since his return to the mound on April 11, the righthander has been sharp, going 4-0 with a 2.41 ERA.

Harden was at his best once again on Thursday, striking out a career-high 11 while allowing two hits and a walk over eight frames in Oakland's 5-0 victory over Philadelphia. With another win on Tuesday, he would become the first A's pitcher in 18 years to open a season with six consecutive victories.

Anaheim will counter with Santana (9-3, 3.32), who will attempt to become the fifth American League pitcher to hit the 10-win mark this season. The righthander has been particularly sharp against the A's, against whom he is 8-1 with a 1.38 ERA in 12 games - 11 starts.

Santana, however, is coming off an outing at Washington on Wednesday in which he surrendered four runs and four hits with a season-high five walks over six innings in a 5-4 setback. He struck out eight but did not factor into the decision.