TALE OF TWO HALFS: ANGELS BURY ATHLETICS, WITHIN 1/2 GAME OF FIRST ANGELS 10, OAKLAND 3.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - John Lackey would never be called ``John Lucky,'' not with the combination of bad luck and oftentimes little support he's received from the Angels' offense and defense this season.

His 4-8 record going into Monday night's game against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium could be attributed in large part to fluke plays that have gone against him, to say nothing of an offense that had scored more than three runs in only four of his 13 starts.

But the 6-foot-6 right-hander can hope that Monday's 10-3 victory is a sign of things to come, a sign that Lackey can pitch well enough to overcome a bad call by an umpire or a dropped pop fly.

The victory moved the Angels to within a half game of Oakland and Texas for first place in the American League West. The Angels have beaten the A's in five of seven games this season.

Vladimir Guerrero had four hits and four RBI, including a tape-measure home run to center field estimated at 446 feet, as part of the Angels' 13-hit attack.

But the difference was Lackey, who went eight innings, gave up two runs and seven hits, struck out four and did not walk a batter. And despite one of his best outings of the season, he will not start Saturday on his regular turn. Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Aaron Sele will come off the disabled list and start Saturday.

Presumably, Lackey could begin his five-game suspension today, incurred May 24 after he hit Toronto's Simon Pond with a pitch. The suspension had been appealed, but if Lackey and the Angels drop the appeal, Lackey could move back a day and start Sunday instead.

Lackey was impressive Monday, and not just because he located his fastball where he wanted it all night long. A lot of his success came because he wasn't affected by a fifth inning during which the A's scored two gift runs to take a 2-0 lead.

With one out and Erubiel Durazo on second thanks to a double, Bobby Crosby hit a popup to shallow left-center field. Shortstop David Eckstein, second baseman Adam Kennedy and center fielder Garret Anderson converged.

Eckstein called for the ball, but he bumped into Kennedy trying to make the catch, then kicked the ball. Crosby was given credit for a double and Durazo, who had stayed close to second base, moved to third.

Lackey appeared to get the all-important second out of the inning when he surprised Damian Miller with a fastball on the inside corner for what should have been strike three. But home-plate umpire Ed Montague ruled it a ball.

However, Lackey wasn't fazed by the controversial call, striking out Miller with a breaking ball just off the dirt. One out away from escaping unscathed, Lackey tried the same pitch on a 1-2 count to Marco Scutaro, but Scutaro hit it into left field for a two-run single.

In the past, such an inning might lead to Lackey's undoing. This time, however, Lackey responded by not allowing another A's baserunner to get as far as second.

``We've talked about it, talked about when things don't go your way, to bend but not break,'' Scioscia said. ``That was a great example tonight. After the ball dropped in, he continued to make pitches. He made a good pitch to Miller and the pitch Scutaro hit was not a bad pitch. He ended it right there.''

Of course, Lackey needed - and got - some help from the offense.

After Lackey yielded the two runs in the top of the fifth, the Angels responded with four runs off A's starter Rich Harden (3-5) in the bottom of the inning. The key hit of the inning belonged to David Eckstein, who drove in two runs with an opposite-field double to right, tying the game at 2. The Angels piled on from there, but no hit was as impressive as Guerrero's homer in the seventh.

``He hit a slider out about 800 feet,'' Lackey said. ``He came to the dugout and said, 'I like slider.' I said, 'Yeah, I can tell.' He's such a great teammate. He always has a smile on his face and he works so hard. He's a superstar but he doesn't act like it.''

Joe Haakenson, [phone]

joe.haakenson(at)sgvn.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- color) The Angels' Vladimir Guerrero singles home David Eckstein in the fifth inning against Oakland during Monday night's 10-3 victory at Angel Stadium.

(2) Second baseman Adam Kennedy safely slides past A's catcher Damian Miller during the Angels' 10-3 victory.

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

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