[0] A'S GET STEP UP ON THE ANGELS FOUR-RUN NINTH CARRIES OAKLAND OAKLAND 7, ANGELS 4.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - The Oakland A's scored four runs in the ninth inning to break a 3-3 tie and beat the Angels 7-4 Wednesday night before 15,300 at Edison Field.

But, there's more to it than that.

By winning two of the three in the series, the A's (17-17) moved ahead of the Angels (17-18) in the A.L. West standings, both teams still trailing the first-place Mariners (17-14). It may be early, but the A.L. West teams are in a cycle of playing each other for the first time this season.

The Angels have now lost two of three to both Seattle and Oakland, with Texas in town for a four-game series beginning tonight.

The A's won the game against Angels reliever Mark Petkovsek, who gave up all four runs after pitching a scoreless eighth. Ben Grieve had an RBI single, Jeremy Giambi drove in two with a single and Eric Chavez scored the fourth run with a single as the A's batted around.

The Angels scored once in the ninth on Darin Erstad's third hit of the night, an RBI single.

Angels starter Kent Bottenfield did not have his usual good command, walking four to match a season-high. But he managed to work his way through 6 2/3 innings, giving up three runs and keeping the game close.

A's starter Mark Mulder, making his fifth major league start, stifled the Angels before leaving the game with a 3-1 lead, two out and Darin Erstad on first base in the eighth inning.

Mulder allowed only six hits in 7 2/3 innings and retired nine in a row at one point, but he was helpless when the bullpen entered the game and blew the lead. First, T.J. Mathews gave up an RBI double to Tim Salmon, then closer Jason Isringhausen got an RBI double to Garret Anderson, tying the game 3-3.

Mulder was good, but he also got some help from an unexpected source - third-base ump Mike VanVleet.

What started out as a promising fourth inning for the Angels turned to frustration and anger, most of it coming from Angels hitting coach Mickey Hatcher.

Anderson led off the inning with a single to center, then scored on a double to left by Glaus. Anderson, though, was ordered back to third base after VanVleet ruled Glaus' double was touched by a fan.

Replays showed clearly the ball short-hopped the short fence in left and stayed in the park without fan interference, and the bad call cost the Angels at least one run. And Anderson compounded the umpire's call with a baserunning mistake of his own.

Edgard Clemente hit a sharp grounder to Eric Chavez at third, but Anderson was caught between third and home and was tagged out by catcher Ramon Hernandez. Matt Walbeck followed with a single to load the bases, but Durrington grounded into a double play to end the inning.