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Angels-Athletics Preview

May 4, 2009 - 5:53 AM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

Los Angeles (10-13) at Oakland (9-13), 10:05 p.m. EDT

The Los Angeles Angels' woeful bullpen has been a glaring problem all year. At least the relievers should be rested after the team's last game was rained out.

The bullpen has perhaps been the Oakland Athletics' biggest strength, but a day after a 15-inning marathon, they'll be hoping for some innings from starter Brett Anderson as they face the visiting Angels on Monday night.

While injuries to the Angels' rotation haven't helped, the team's surprising bullpen struggles have been a bigger problem.

After giving up 12 runs in 6 1-3 innings over three games at Yankee Stadium, Los Angeles' relievers have a 7.66 ERA - worst in the majors. Rafael Rodriguez, Jose Arredondo and closer Brian Fuentes combined to blow a five-run, eighth-inning lead in a 10-9 loss to the Yankees on Friday night.

A day later, the Angels (10-13) rebounded with an 8-4 win before Sunday's rainout, and they've won four of six as they try to put a difficult start both on and off the field behind them. Pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed by a drunk driver last month, and slugging outfielder Vladimir Guerrero remains on the disabled list along with starting pitchers John Lackey, Ervin Santana and Kelvim Escobar.

The expected activation of reliever Darren Oliver from the DL on Monday should help.

"He really makes a difference in our bullpen, and it will be good to have him back, believe me," reliever Scot Shields told the Angels' official Web site.

Los Angeles is also looking for a strong effort from starter Joe Saunders, one of the few healthy regulars in its rotation. Saunders (3-1, 3.41 ERA) allowed 10 hits in his last start at Baltimore on Tuesday, but the left-hander had a strong first month that included 6 2-3 innings in a 3-0 win over the A's on opening day April 6.

A lack of offense has been a problem all season for Oakland, which ranks last in the AL in batting average (.239) and last in the majors in home runs (11).

The A's (9-13) managed to score seven runs in two of three games over the weekend in Seattle but lost both of them, falling 8-7 in 15 innings in Sunday's finale. Oakland dropped two of three to the Mariners, with all three contests decided by one run that was scored in the final inning.

A's left-hander Gio Gonzalez threw 108 pitches in five innings out of the bullpen Sunday for the A's, who were without relievers Santiago Casilla and Brad Ziegler.

"When we're back to full strength, we're going to start winning some of these games," manager Bob Geren told the A's official Web site.

Ziegler, the closer, is expected to return Monday from a bout with the flu and should bolster what has been an excellent Oakland bullpen. A's relievers have a major league-best 2.88 ERA.

The team also could use a big effort from Anderson (0-2, 5.01), a 21-year-old rookie who's looking for his first major league win.

A blister forced the left-hander to leave his last outing in the sixth inning after allowing three runs - one earned - and three hits to Texas on Tuesday, but he won't miss a start.

The Angels hope injuries won't sideline outfielder Bobby Abreu or shortstop Erick Aybar. Abreu missed Saturday's game with a back problem, while Aybar was struck in the face by a ball during that contest.