ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Joe Saunders matched zeros with Dallas Braden through five innings, then Kendry Morales hit a go-ahead single in the sixth and Hideki Matsui followed with a three-run homer to help the Los Angeles Angels beat the Oakland Athletics 4-0 on Friday night.
Braden, who pitched the 19th perfect game in major league history last Sunday against Tampa Bay, gave up a two-out double in the first by Bobby Abreu, ending his bid to match Johnny Vander Meer’s unprecedented feat of back-to-back no-hitters.
Saunders (2-5) pitched a four-hitter for his second shutout and third complete game in 103 big league starts. He struck out six, walked two and stranded three runners in scoring position after going 0-3 with an 8.31 ERA over his previous four starts.
