In his four starts, Anderson has typically improved as the game went on, as opponents have batted .364 the first time through the lineup against Anderson but just .207 in subsequent at-bats.
That wasn't necessarily the case Monday, as Anderson allowed two hits in the first two innings but gave up four hits and a walk to the Angels in the third. Torii Hunter had a two-RBI single to center and Mike Napoli singled to right to score Bobby Abreu to give Los Angeles a 3-0 lead.
Anderson threw 48 pitches in the first three innings and wound up throwing 72, the last of which was ended up as a RBI double by Napoli that gave Los Angeles a 5-0 lead.
Saunders has lasted less than six innings just once in his first five starts. Against the A's on Opening Night, Saunders allowed no runs and just three hits in 62/3 innings in what ended up being a 3-0 Los Angeles win.
On Monday, a balk by Saunders with the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth inning gave the A's their first run. Catcher Kurt Suzuki capped the Oakland with a solo homer to left with two outs in the seventh inning.
The A's had runners in scoring position in both the first and second inning. But Saunders, who has a career ERA of 2.93 against Oakland, got the final two outs in the first inning and three straight out in the second after Bobby Crosby started the inning with a double to left field.
Reliever Sean Gallagher, who was called up from Triple A Sacramento, came in for Anderson and allowed three hits in 32/3 scoreless innings.
Angels 5, A's 2 ?Today: in Oakland, 7:05 p.m. ?TV: CSNCA
OAKLAND Brett Anderson had more problems with his left hand. And the Oakland A's had more problems with Joe Saunders.
Anderson, who had to leave last Tuesday's game against Texas with a blister on his left index finger, appeared to have the same problem crop up in the middle of what ended up as a 5-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night at the Oakland Coliseum.
After a visit to the mound from A's manager Bob Geren and trainer Steve Sayles, Anderson was pulled after he allowed nine hits and five earned runs in 42/3 innings, which represented the shortest outing of his rookie season.
The five Angels runs were more than enough offense for Saunders, who gave up six hits and two earned runs in 62/3 innings as he improved to 7-2 all-time against the A's.
