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Santana strikes out 10 as Angels top Athletics

Jul 13, 2008 - 5:17 AM By Al Barba PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- While nothing in baseball is a sure thing, the outcome when Ervin Santana faces the Oakland Athletics is becoming predictable.

In his final start before the All-Star Break, Santana struck out a season-high 10 batters in seven innings as the Los Angeles Angels defeated Oakland, 4-1, on Saturday.

"I don't feel like I had that kind of power and energy," Santana said. "I was just trying to keep the score close and put a zero on the board each time I went to the mound."

Santana (11-3), who yielded five hits, two walks and came within one strikeout of equaling his career-high, improved to 9-1 lifetime against the Athletics. The victory also moved the first time All-Star into a tie for second place in the American League in wins and strikeouts (122).

"Every year (the Athletics) have different players on their team," Santana said. "They are good players. I just go out there and try to do my best. I don't think about it. I just go out there pitch."

The righthander was in command from the start since he did not allow more than one runner to reach base in any inning until the seventh, when he surrendered back-to-back singles to Mark Ellis and Daric Barton to open the frame.

However, Santana kept Oakland from scoring as he retired Jack Hannahan on a ground out and struck out Donnie Murphy and Kurt Suzuki to end the threat.

"He had terrific stuff," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He's brought that stuff out there most games that he's pitched. He maintained his stuff. I think he had command with (his slider). He threw it on some off counts. (Santana) really made pitches from the get-go."

Scot Shields relieved Santana in the eighth and allowed a run-scoring double to Carlos Gonzalez before Francisco Rodriguez worked a scoreless ninth to record his major league-leading 37th save.

"(Santana) is tough on us, that's for sure. He has one of the better fastballs in the league and has good control of it," Athletics manager Bob Geren said. "Even after 100 pitches, he was still throwing the ball well. He was still throwing around 95."

For the second straight start, Dana Eveland had first-inning difficulties and fell behind 2-0. Despite striking out two in the inning, Eveland (7-6) walked two, allowed a pair of singles and threw a wild pitch that led to the runs.

Erick Aybar, who walked with one out and advanced to third on a single by Torii Hunter, scored the game's first run on a wild pitch. Following a walk to Juan Rivera, Howie Kendrick singled to center to score Hunter.

Eveland yielded five hits, two runs and struck out five while pitching 5 1/3 innings for the second consecutive start.

"I've had a few rough first innings," Eveland said. "I don't know what it is. I gotta figure out a way to get out of that first inning."

Despite his recent first-inning struggles, Eveland said he may have found a solution for the early woes.

"I toned it down to about 80 percent and my off-speed stuff still had real good location," he said. "I didn't have great fastball command and that killed me. But toning it down worked well, and I was pretty pleased once I did that. I'm thinking that may be the answer for me."

The Angels tacked on an insurance run in the ninth as Aybar singled with one out, stole second and scored on a single to center by Vladimir Guerrero.