ANAHEIM, Calif., Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Dan Haren pitched his second complete game of the season and Jay Payton hit the tie-breaking two-run homer to lift Oakland to a 3-1 win over the Angels Monday.
Also for the Athletics, Milton Bradley homered and Mark Kotsay had two hits.
Oakland has now opened a 1 1/2 game lead over the Angels in the division.
Haren (8-9) allowed eight scattered hits and struck out five with no walks, winning for just the second time in his last nine starts. He did give up a homer to the Angels' Juan Rivera in the fourth.
The LA Angels had scored at least three runs in every game in July until meeting Haren Monday. Howie Hendrick had two of LA's eight hits.
Ervin Santana (11-5), who hadn't lost to Oakland in four meetings, pitched eight innings for the Angels and notched the loss.
