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Angels hope to have big bats back vs. Oakland

Aug 27, 2008 - 10:49 AM Oakland (60-72) at La Angels (80-51) 10:05 pm. EDT

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have been struggling on offense. However, they should get a boost on Wednesday, as both Vladimir Guerrero and Garret Anderson are expected to return against the Oakland Athletics.

Anaheim has a 16-game lead over Texas in the American League West, but has not won a series in more than two weeks. A big reason is the offense, which has averaged 3.25 runs over the last 12 games. The Angels played the first two games of this series without Guerrero and Anderson.

Guerrero rested his legs after playing 10 straight games, while Anderson is nursing a sore left knee.

"Garret's definitely available and hopefully he'll be in the lineup (Wednesday)," Angels manager Mike Scioscia told his team's official web site.

The Angels fared fine without the two on Tuesday. John Lackey fired a seven-hitter and Torii Hunter picked up the slack, collecting three hits and an RBI double in a 5-1 victory.

Joe Saunders (14-6, 3.37 ERA) will try and help Anaheim to its first series win since sweeping the New York Yankees from August 8-10. The lefthander is 2-0 1.26 ERA in two starts vs. Oakland.

The A's run of futility stretches even longer than Anaheim's. Oakland has not won a series since taking two of three from Seattle from July 7-9. Gio Gonzalez (1-2, 3.37) makes his fifth career start for the A's. The 22-year-old lefthander allowed four runs - two earned - in five innings, but did not receive a decision in a 7-5 loss to Seattle on Friday.