ANAHEIM, Calif., Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Mark Mulder allowed one hit in seven scoreless innings to record his 21st win as the Oakland Athletics rolled to a 5-1 triumph over the Anaheim Angels Thursday night.
Mulder, a 1998 first-round draft pick, made 27 starts last year before a herniated disc ended his season in September. The 24-year-old lefthander has bounced back spectacularly, going 6-1 with a 2.70 ERA in his last seven starts.
A's manager Art Howe has indicated he will start Mulder on Wednesday in Game One of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees.
Mulder is the first lefthander to win as many as 21 games in the AL since New York's Andy Pettite was 21-8 in 1996. Anaheim rookie David Eckstein's double with one out in the fourth was the lone hit off Mulder, who walked three. He retired the last eight hitters he faced.
Oakland jumped on top with a run in the second inning. Eric Chavez led off with a single and took second on rookie center fielder Jeff DaVanon's error. After Jeremy Giambi flied out, Terrence Long delivered an RBI single.
The A's added three runs with two out in the fourth off Anaheim starter Ismael Valdes (9-13). An RBI single by F.P Santangelo made it 2-0 and, after Johnny Damon singled to load the bases, Miguel Tejada had a two-run double down the right-field line.
