21-year-old Anderson outpitches 21-year vet Smoltz at Fenway

BOSTON -- It was a game of firsts for big names John Smoltz and Nomar Garciaparra -- and Oakland rookie Brett Anderson. On a night when the 21-year veteran Smoltz made his Red Sox debut at Fenway Park and Garciaparra played there for the first time as an opponent, the 21-year-old Athletics left-hander threw a two-hit shutout in a 6-0 win Monday. "It kind of eased me into the game, knowing that the focus obviously is not going to be on me," said Anderson, who was 82 days old when Smoltz made his major league debut on April 23, 1988. Anderson (5-7) pitched the first complete game of his career and Oakland's first since Justin Duchscherer threw one last July 8. He struck out a career-high nine and allowed two singles and two walks while throwing 111 pitches. "It was a complete game in this ballpark against that team," Oakland manager Bob Geren said. "It's obviously very special for anybody, especially somebody of his age." It wa...