Brett Anderson Leaves Start with Injury

September 19, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Brett Anderson (49) pitches during the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE

It’s a dangerous thing to be a starting pitcher in Detroit these days. One night after the Tigers’ Max Scherzer left his start versus the visiting Oakland A’s due to right shoulder fatigue, Oakland’s Brett Anderson slipped while delivering a pitch in the bottom of the third inning and had to leave the contest.

Anderson missed most of the season while recovering from Tommy John surgerybut he’s been dominant in five starts since coming back. Entering play on Wednesday, Anderson was 4-1 with an ERA under two at 1.93. When he left due to injury, he had allowed two runs in the frame, but was responsible for three runners already on base. Reliever Pat Neshek yielded a sacrifice fly to score the third run on Anderson’s record.

Anderson is the only member of the A’s rotation that isn’t a rookie. Despite their youth, Oakland hold a firm grip on the first Wild Card spot in the American League and trailes only Texas for the league’s best record.

UPDATE: (8:41 pm) Anderson’s injury is a right oblique strain, which is usually not an injury quickly overcome.