Shields Struggles In Oakland?

During the game tonight, the announcers pointed out that Scot Shields is now 0-7 at McAfee Coliseum in his career. He has 3 or fewer losses in every other road stadium in baseball. And only 12 losses in his entire career at home. So why the struggles in Oakland?

Stats before tonight:
                   g  w-l     ip hr   era  baa
Career in Oakland  18  0-6   28.1  6  4.13 .219
Career at home    177 26-12 293.1 13  2.39 .216
Career away       165 12-20 256.0 27  3.16 .230


His big problem in Oakland is he gives up the long ball. In 29 innings, he has given up 6 home runs (1 every 4.8 innings). Compare that to his home numbers where he has surrendered 13 career home runs in 293.1 innings (1 every 22.6 innings).

His era isn't that bad - 4.13 and his batting average against is .219 which is a bit lower than his career baa of .223.

Because of the 7 losses, some people might say that Scioscia shouldn't use Shields in Oakland, but I disagree. There's no reason to think that Shields can't pitch there. (Unlike Boston where I'd keep him out of every game. Blog) Last year he made 5 appearances in Oakland (6 ip) and was 0-1. In those 6 innings, he struck out 9, walked 1 and allowed only two hits. Great numbers. Unfortunately, one of the two hits was a 2-run home run which resulted in a loss.

The majority of the home runs Shields has allowed came in one game. On September 11, 2003, Shields started the game for the Angels. He lasted only 4 innings and allowed 7 runs (4 earned) and gave up 4 home runs. So if you take this game away from his statistics, his stats look different.

Stats At Oak. as reliever (not including tonight)
                   g  w-l     ip hr   era  baa
Career in Oakland  17  0-5   24.1  2  2.22 .209

So it turns out that one bad game in 2003 has caused most of the damage to his stat line. If you're curious to how far the Angels have come since that day, here's their starting line up that day. (Link to Box Score)

c Jose Molina (replaced by Tom Gregorio)
1b Scott Spiezio (replaced by Robb Quinlan)
2b Adam Kennedy (replaced by Trent Durrington)
ss Alfredo Amezaga
3b Wilson Delgado
lf Adam Riggs
cf Chone Figgins
rf Eric Owens (replaced by Barry Wesson)

Keep pitching Shields, today was just one bad outing for him.