The Oakland Athletics had a chance at making history on Monday night as they opened up their series against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. While Oakland starter Brett Anderson did not record a perfect game or a no-hitter, he once again demonstrated that he is back and as good as ever. Anderson led the A's to a 3-0 win as the Oakland pitching staff held the Indians to just two hits and three walks.
The A's scored single runs in each of the first three innings to give Anderson more than enough run support to pick up his second straight win. Seth Smith drove in Stephen Drew with a sacrifice fly in the first inning, Josh Reddick led off the second inning with his 26th home run of the season and Chris Carter tacked on the final run with an RBI single in the third.
Anderson, meanwhile, was perfect through the first four innings. In the bottom of the second, Michael Brantley was ruled to have broken up the no-hitter, thanks to a pretty egregiously blown call that resulted in an infield single. Brent Lillibridge led off the sixth inning with a double, rendering the importance of the blown call moot.
The A's are still happy to have picked up the win and are overjoyed to have Anderson back right as they lose Bartolo Colon for the season. They'll try to pick up another win over the Indians on Tuesday.
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