ANAHEIM, Calif. – Joe Blanton settled down after a rocky start and Mark Ellis hit a three-run homer, leading the Oakland Athletics to a 6-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.

Donnie Murphy had a career-high three hits and two RBIs for Oakland, including a homer leading off the seventh inning to chase Joe Saunders. Ellis also singled in a run.

After giving up two runs in the first, Blanton shut out the AL West leaders for the next seven innings. Huston Street struck out two in a scoreless ninth.

Blanton (12-9) gave up six hits with one walk and three strikeouts in winning for the fourth time in five decisions.

The A’s went ahead 3-2 on Ellis’ homer off Saunders (7-3) with one out in the fourth. Ellis made it 5-2 in the seventh with an RBI single off Chris Bootcheck after Murphy hit his fifth homer.

Ellis’ 17 homers this season are a record for an Athletics second baseman, topping the previous mark of 16 set by Jimmie Dykes in 1921 when the team was in Philadelphia, and matched by Davey Lopes in 1983.

Saunders gave up four runs, seven hits and two walks. He struck out four.

The Angels took a 2-0 lead soon after Reggie Willits and Orlando Cabrera led off the first inning with consecutive singles. Vladimir Guerrero struck out, but Garret Anderson followed with a run-scoring single that sent Cabrera to third. Maicer Izturis added a sacrifice fly.

Anderson tied a club record of 10 consecutive games with at least one RBI. He matched Fred Lynn (1984) and Wally Joyner (1986).

Anderson has 68 RBIs this season despite missing 46 games because of injuries. He has driven in 27 runs in his last 15 games – including his club-record 10 RBI game in an 18-9 victory over the Yankees on Aug. 21.

Notes: The Angels activated INF Erick Aybar. He went on the 15-day disabled list Aug. 20 with a strained left hamstring. … Angels C Mike Napoli replaced rookie Ryan Budde behind the plate in the ninth after Budde was removed for a pinch-hitter. It was Napoli’s first game since July 27, when he strained his right hamstring stealing second base. … Oakland is 8-8 against the Angels this year. … Saunders has a much better record with the Angels (7-3 in 14 starts) during his four stints with them this season than with Triple-A Salt Lake (4-7 over 14 starts).

AP-ES-09-05-07 1841EDT