Sports | baseball Saunders Bests Smith, Angels Beat A's 2-0 Lefty gives bullpen much needed rest By Doug Sweeney Posted Apr 30, 2008 12:05 AM CDT Copied 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. Read These Next The Air Force has changed its tune on Ashli Babbitt. Open that wallet big time for a trip to Disney, if you can afford it. Minneapolis shooter had a plan—and grievances. A 'tense' clash with RFK Jr. led to CDC chief's trouble. Report an error