Anderson turns in quality start vs. former team

LOS ANGELES -- There was no love lost for Brett Anderson when he faced his former team Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.

Anderson was a member of the A's from 2009-13 and the first pitch of the game was a line-drive single that put Anderson on his back. Anderson recorded a quality outing, but the Dodgers gave him no run support in a 2-0 defeat.

"It wasn't really easing into things by throwing a couple pitches, it was a rocket at your face the first pitch," Anderson said.

The lefty pitched seven innings, allowing five hits and two runs, while striking out a pair. The loss dropped his record to 5-6 on the season.

After walking the second hitter of the game, Anderson induced three straight ground balls, but none were hit hard enough to turn a double play and the A's plated a run in the first. After that, Anderson was sharp.

"Once the starters get out the first, and they get on a roll, they're going to be tough all night," manager Don Mattingly said. "That's what it looked like with Brett. Kind of typical. A lot of ground balls and changing speeds."

With so much turnover in the A's roster, there were only two players in Oakland's lineup that Anderson played with; one of whom, Josh Reddick, roasted Anderson with a 3-for-4 night and a home run in the seventh inning.

"It's always fun to play against your former team," Anderson said. "The coaching staff, and the organization and the green, gold and white shoes, you can kind of reflect on some things."

Anderson played for the A's for five seasons, but was rarely in uniform. For the Dodgers this season, Anderson has already surpassed his innings total in each of the past five seasons. For a player that has been riddled by injuries the past five seasons, even a scare with his Achilles tendon in his last start was nothing to be taken lightly.

Anderson was removed from his last start after 2 2/3 innings after he attempted to field a ground ball. An MRI revealed no structural damage and Anderson was given seven days' rest between starts. On Tuesday, Anderson said his Achilles was a little sore but it was nothing he couldn't deal with. There was one opportunity in the first inning to cover first base on a potential 3-6-1 double play in the first inning, but Anderson knew he wouldn't cover the base in time and decided to pull up before reaching the base.

"The stuff wasn't great, but coming off an injury scare and being able to get ground balls, I'll take it," Anderson said. "It's one of those things I'll have to monitor going forward. Everybody has nicks at this point, so I'll just have to come in and get some treatment."