OAKLAND, Calif., April 20 (UPI) -- Jarrod Washburn tossed 6 1/3 solid innings Friday night, but the Anaheim Angels' bullpen nearly wasted an eight-run lead before Troy Percival finally shut the door to secure a 9-7 victory over the Oakland Athletics.
Percival was activated Thursday after a stint on the disabled list because of a strained muscle on his right side. Anaheim did not look like it would need its closer until the final inning, but Percival survived a shaky outing to earn his second save.
The Angels jumped out to a 9-1 lead and had a 9-3 edge entering the ninth inning, but Ramon Hernandez and Carlos Pena had RBI hits before Anaheim brought in Percival with one out and runners and first and second.
Percival walked Scott Hatteberg to load the bases and surrendered a two-run single to Greg Myers as Oakland closed to within 9-7. But he struck out Olmedo Saenz and got Miguel Tejada to ground out to end the game.
Washburn (1-1) allowed three runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings to record his first victory of the season.
Adam Kennedy and Ben Molina each had two hits and combined to drive in five runs for the Angels, who scored more then seven runs for the first time this season.
Former Angel Mark Fyhrie (0-1) surrendered six runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings in his first start since 1998.
