NewsAnderson hopes extra rest proves beneficial
Oakland (31-43) vs. Detroit (42-33), 7:05 p.m. PT
By Adam Loberstein / MLB.com
06/28/09 8:32 PM ET
OAKLAND -- Brett Anderson said he could use an extra day off. He got three. Originally scheduled to pitch Friday, Anderson was pushed back to Monday, when he'll start on eight days' rest in Oakland's series opener against the Detroit Tigers. Anderson, who has thrown 69 innings this year, was skipped because of arm fatigue. "His arm is fine," manager Bob Geren stressed. "He was a guy I felt could use some extra rest. He's not hurt." Anderson has surrendered 14 runs in 14 2/3 innings over his past three starts, all in Interleague action. Anderson said he is looking forward to facing American League lineups again. "It was nice to get to hit. ... That didn't really work out for me," joked Anderson, who was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. "It'll be nice to get back to seeing hitters we're used to facing." Things didn't go so well the first time Anderson saw Detroit. The lefty gave up nine runs -- only three earned, though -- in 3 1/3 innings on May 15. He'll hope the extra rest spells a change of fortune this time out. Pitching matchupOAK: LHP Brett Anderson (3-7, 5.74 ERA)
Anderson tossed five innings and allowed three runs on five hits in his last start. He struck out three, walked one and hit a batter. Overall, Anderson said he was pleased with his ability to thwart a potentially disastrous inning against the Padres, when he minimized the effects of a hit batter, two singles and a walk. Anderson allowed two runs in the inning but kept his cool to avoid further damage. DET: RHP Rick Porcello (8-4, 3.55 ERA)
Porcello still has a chance to become just the second pitcher age 20 or younger since World War II to win 10 games by the All-Star break, or at least the fifth such pitcher to win nine in the same span. But while he's unbeaten in his last four starts, Porcello has hit a little bit of a rough patch, lasting six innings only once in his past five outings. The right-hander has done a good job of controlling damage, limiting opponents to four earned runs over his past three starts despite having allowed 21 hits over 17 2/3 innings that span, but it has cost him in his pitch counts. Porcello beat the A's with one earned run over six innings May 16 at Comerica Park. Tidbits
The A's transferred left-hander Josh Outman from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list. ... After winning nine straight, the Tigers dropped two in a row before winning Sunday's finale against Houston. ...Miguel Cabrera had collected eight multiple-hit games in his past 11 entering Sunday's game, batting .429 over that span, but was 0-for-4 against the Astros on Sunday. ...Jason Giambi said he recently had a chance to speak with Eric Chavez, who had season-ending back surgery Tuesday. "It's tough. He's had that surgery once before," Giambi said. "He's a hard worker and a great player. I hope he has a chance to come back and be the Eric Chavez we know he can be. ...Orlando Cabrera has an 11-game hitting streak after going 2-for-4 against the Rockies on Sunday. ...Adrian Cardenas had seven hits in his past four games entering Sunday, pushing his average to .344 -- good for fourth-best in the Double-A Texas League. Tickets
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• Tuesday: Athletics (Gio Gonzalez, 0-1, 8.03) vs. Tigers (Armando Galarraga, 4-7, 5.65), 7:05 p.m. PT
• Wednesday: Athletics (Dallas Braden, 5-7, 3.26) vs. Tigers (Justin Verlander, 8-3, 3.40), 12:35 p.m. PT
• Thursday: Off-day
Adam Loberstein is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
