With starters Kelvim Escobar and John Lackey on the DL to start the season the Angels’ starting rotation had to pick up the slack. Lefty Joe Saunders clearly took that to heart. Last night Saunders went eight innings for the fourth time in six outings. After exploding for 14 runs the night before Saunders completely shutdown the A’s offense allowing only four hits. Halos’ closer Fransico Rodriguez came into the ninth and picked up his league leading 11th save as the Angels took the second game of the series 2-0.

With the win Saunders became the first Angels pitcher to go 5-0 in April since Frank Tanana in 1978. The five wins also put Saunders in a tie for second in the major leagues just behind Arizona’s Brandon Webb. Perhaps even more remarkable Saunders’ fellow starter Ervin Santana attempts to go 5-0 himself against Oakland tonight. With last nights win the Angels moved back into a tie with the Athletics for first place in the AL West at 17-11.

Notes:

• Dustin Moseley (1-2, 7.30 ERA) has been dropped from the starting rotation. He will not start Thursday after pitching two innings Monday night in the Angels 14-2 loss. It is expected the Angels will call up a pitcher from the minors to make the start Thursday.

• John Lackey made his 2nd rehab start with Class A Rancho Cucamonga last night. He went three innings giving up one run and one hit. Lackey is expected to make two more rehab starts before joining the Angels on May 14.

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