"Scott Kazmir was just dealing all day Monday.

Before the Angels' game against the Oakland A's, the pitcher was giving shortstop Erick Aybar a lesson on how to play blackjack. On the mound, Kazmir, administered a different lesson - teaching A's hitters again that they can't get to him.

Behind Kazmir's 61/3 innings of one-run baseball, the Angels took the first game of a four-game series at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, 4-2.

The Angels have won 11 of their last 13 games. Since losing Kendry Morales, they are 8-1 and have rallied from third place to take over the lead in the AL West.

In 16 career starts against Oakland, Kazmir has a 2.85 ERA. He also had a streak of 20 scoreless innings at Oakland snapped in the seventh inning Monday.

"I didn't even know that," Kazmir said. "Some mounds, some stadiums, you just feel more comfortable.""