Oakland, CA (Best E Casino) - Ervin Santana tossed seven shutout innings, as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim bested the Oakland Athletics, 4-1, in the second of a three-game set at McAfee Coliseum.

Santana (11-3), selected to his first career All-Star Game, scattered five hits, walked two and struck out a season-high 10 batters. Santana has dominated the A's throughout his career, going 9-1 with a miniscule 1.36 earned run average in 14 games (13 starts).

"He (Santana) had terrific stuff," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He's brought that stuff into most games. He's been doing it every start."

Scott Shields gave up a run in the eighth and Francisco Rodriguez pitched a scoreless ninth to notch his major league-leading 37th save.

Howie Kendrick was 2-for-4 and knocked in a run for the Angels, who have won two of their last three contests. Erick Aybar went 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored, while Vladimir Guerrero and Juan Rivera each had an RBI.

Dana Eveland (7-6) allowed two runs on five hits with five walks and five strikeouts for Oakland in a losing cause. The southpaw had won his last three decisions.

"Ervin Santana was very tough early and even after 105-110 pitches he was still throwing the ball 97 MPH," Oakland manager Bob Geren said. "He has one of the better fastballs in the league. I haven't seen him pitch enough against other teams, all I know is he's tough on us."

Carlos Gonzalez doubled twice and drove in the lone run for Oakland, which lost for just the second time in its last six games. Emil Brown also had two hits and scored a run.

The Angels jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening frame. Aybar drew a one-out walk and, after Guerrero struck out swinging on a foul tip, advanced to third on a single by Torii Hunter, who moved to second on the throw. Aybar then scored on a wild pitch and Hunter later came home on a RBI single from Kendrick.

Maicer Izturis reached on an infield single to begin the top of the seventh and Aybar laid down a sacrifice bunt. Santiago Casilla intentionally walked Guerrero and fanned Hunter, but gave up an run-scoring single to Rivera for a 3-0 lead.

Mark Ellis and Daric Barton notched back-to-back singles to lead-off the home half, but Santana set down the next three batters to end the threat.

Oakland finally got on the board in the eighth when Brown's infield single prolonged the inning and Gonzalez followed with an RBI double to the alley in right-center.

The Angels got the run back in the ninth on a Guerrero RBI single.

Game Notes

Before the game, the Angels placed third baseman Chone Figgins on the bereavement list and recalled infielder Sean Rodriguez from Triple-A Salt Lake...Oakland's Jack Cust struck out in his 19th straight game, which is a club record for non-pitchers. He has 114 strikeouts this season, one shy of the AL record for the most strikeouts before the All-Star break (Bo Jackson)...Gonzalez has 38 hits this season, 17 are doubles...The Halos own the best road record in the majors (30-18)...Both clubs stranded nine base runners...LA's Joe Saunders (12-5) and Oakland's Justin Duchscherer (10-5) are scheduled to start Sunday's rubber match.