News
Lackey gets shot to surpass Tanana
Los Angeles (90-63) vs. Oakland (74-80), 6:05 p.m. PT
By Lyle Spencer / MLB.com
09/26/09 1:14 AM ET
ANAHEIM -- Once again, John Lackey faces the Athletics, and once again, a milestone is within reach. It was against the A's on Aug. 30 at Angel Stadium that Lackey claimed win No. 100 in an Angels uniform, one of five men to achieve that feat. Now the big Texan has a chance to supplant Frank Tanana and nail down the fourth spot on the franchise list with No. 102. Lackey shares fourth with the great lefty heading into his assignment against southpaw Dana Eveland on Saturday night. Lackey twice this season has dueled another A's lefty, Brett Anderson, prevailing both times. Making his 29th career start against Oakland, Lackey is 16-4 with two complete games, one shutout and a 2.54 ERA. That is his highest win total against any team. "They've been division rivals," Lackey said, "and we always seem to have competitive games with them." The A's leadoff man, Adam Kennedy, played alongside Lackey when the pitcher was just getting started. A rookie in 2002, he was entrusted with several big postseason assignments by manager Mike Scioscia, including Game 7 of the World Series against the Giants. That was the happiest ending of Lackey's career. Kennedy, who was hitless in four at-bats against Lackey on Aug. 30 and ranks fourth in the AL with a .360 batting average with runners in scoring position, doesn't hide his admiration for the man's work. "It just goes to show how tough it is," Kennedy said, referring to the triple-digit milestone. "It's not easy. You have to stay healthy and have some luck along the way, decision-wise. Competition-wise, he hasn't lost a beat. He's still the guy you want when you need a win. "Pitching-wise, he got away with things before because of his stuff. Now he knows what he's doing. He executes a lot of his pitches and doesn't make a lot of mistakes. That's why he's one of the best." Lackey, who has yielded three earned runs or less in 11 of his past 14 outings, has gone at least seven innings in 17 of his 25 starts. He is coming off a victory in Texas on Sunday, when he fought his command but endured, surrendering four earned runs in six innings as the Angels busted out offensively. The A's always have brought out the best in Lackey, who held them to five hits and one unearned run in eight innings when he claimed career win No. 100. "That was one of John's best of the season," said catcher Jeff Mathis, who called the pitches. "He was locating his fastball, and his other stuff was sharp." Pitching matchupLAA: RHP John Lackey (11-8, 3.56 ERA)
After a rough start, yielding three first-inning runs on two walks and three singles, Lackey settled in and got through six innings at Texas on Sunday, claiming the win while giving up five runs (four earned) in six innings. Lackey had given up three earned runs combined in his previous four starts, covering 33 2/3, but he has a history of struggling in his home state. Lackey also has a history of dominating the Athletics. He turned them away on Aug. 30 with one unearned run across eight innings for his 100th career win and is 16-4 in 28 career starts against Oakland with a 2.54 ERA. OAK: LHP Dana Eveland (2-3, 6.50 ERA)
Eveland, moved into Oakland's six-man rotation to take the place of injured Brett Tomko, picked up his first win since April when he held the Indians to a run on five hits and two walks over five innings his last time out. A member of Oakland's rotation, Eveland lost his job after being tagged for 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings against the Mariners on May 1 and was optioned shortly thereafter to Triple-A Sacramento, where he spent most of the year. A 25-year-old whose command needs to be spot-on for him to be effective, Eveland has made four appearances this month since being recalled, the first three out of the bullpen. He's faced the Angels once this year, allowing three runs on eight hits and two walks over six innings of a start on April 8 in Anaheim. He did not get a decision in Oakland's 6-4 victory. Tidbits
Among the 10 toughest hitters in the AL to strike out, only Juan Rivera (one K per 10 at-bats) is considered a legitimate power hitter. Erick Aybar also is among the 10 toughest to retire on strikes. ... With nine triples, Aybar is one off the AL lead of Boston's Jacoby Ellsbury. ... In limited duty, Gary Matthews Jr. has been swinging a hot bat with five RBIs in his past six at-bats. The outfielder is batting .347 in seven at-bats with runners in scoring position. ... Kendry Morales needs four home runs to break the Angels' single-season record for first basemen, which stands at 34. Mike Napoli's next homer breaks the club record for catchers at 62. ... The Angels are offering a $39 family special on Sunday: four tickets, four hot dogs and four soft drinks for $39. ... Catcher Bobby Wilson has appeared in seven games but has only one at-bat: a sacrifice bunt. ... Outfielders Terry Evans (five games) and Chris Pettit (four) also have made cameo appearances, scoring a run each as pinch-runners, but they are looking for their first plate appearances. Tickets
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• Sunday: Angels (Joe Saunders, 14-7, 4.63) vs. Athletics (Edgar Gonzalez, 0-3, 5.22), 12:35 p.m. PT
• Monday: Angels (Ervin Santana, 7-8, 5.46) vs. Rangers (Tommy Hunter, 9-4, 3.67), 7:05 p.m. PT
• Tuesday: Angels (Scott Kazmir, 9-9, 5.06) vs. Rangers (Scott Feldman, 17-6, 3.90), 7:05 p.m. PT
Lyle Spencer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
