Saunders Bests Smith, Angels Beat A's 2-0

Lefty gives bullpen much needed rest
By Doug Sweeney,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 30, 2008 12:05 AM CDT
Saunders Bests Smith, Angels Beat A's 2-0
Los Angeles Angels' Brandon Wood hits a single against the Oakland Athletics during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Tuesday, April 29, 2008.    (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Joe Saunders outpitched Greg Smith to remain undefeated in six starts, and the Los Angeles Angels beat Oakland 2-0 on Tuesday night to climb back into a first-place tie with the Athletics in the AL West. Saunders (5-0) combined with Francisco Rodriguez on the Angels' second shutout victory this season, scattering four hits over eight innings with five strikeouts and a walk.

The left-hander, now 12-1 in his career after an Angels loss, gave the bullpen a much-needed rest following Monday's 14-2 defeat. Saunders joined Frank Tanana as the only pitchers in the franchise's 48-year history to go 5-0 in April. Tanana accomplished the feat in 1978, finishing that season 18-12. (More baseball stories.)

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