Brett Anderson Dominates Again

The timing couldn’t have been better for the Oakland Athletics. After missing more than a full year while recovering from Tommy John surgery, left hander Brett Anderson returned to action last week and debuted with seven innings of one run ball versus the Minnesota Twins. Just days after Anderson’s return, word came down that Oakland would be without Bartolo Colonfor the remainder of the season thanks to his drug suspension.

Anderson took the mound in Cleveland on Monday night; his second start of the season. As impressive as debut start was, Anderson might have been even better versus the Tribe. He didn’t allow a baserunner until one out in the fifth, when fist base umpire Jerry Meals incorrectly called Michael Brantley safe on a ground ball wide of the bag. Brent Lillibridge authored the only other hit Anderson would allow during his seven scoreless frames. He did walk a pair of batters, but struck out five.

In two starts thus far in 2012, Anderson has fanned 11 batters in 14 innings. He’s walked two, allowed only six hits and stands at 2-0. Certainly, he can’t be expected to pitch this way each time out, but he seems more than capable of filling the void left by Colon.

The A’s aren’t the most talented club in the race for the playoffs, but they have the best pitching staff outside of Tampa Bay and just enough offense to make it stand up on most nights. If Oakland winds up seeing the post season for the first time since 2006, chances are good that Anderson will be a big reason why.

For more on Oakland’s playoff push, visit Swingin’ A’s.