Bullpen Gives Up Two Homers In Eighth, A’s Lose 5-4

Oakland Athletics' Billy Butler, right, talks to home plate umpire Ted Barrett after striking out during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, June 12, 2015, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) — Oakland Athletics’ Billy Butler, right, talks to home plate umpire Ted Barrett after striking out during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, June 12, 2015, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

By Kahlil Najar

LOS ANGELES – The lead changed five times throughout the game and the A’s came out the loser tonight as Mike Trout and Kole Calhoun both homered in the bottom of the eighth to give the Angels a 5-4 victory.

Evan Scribner (1-1) who earned the loss today gave up both costly home runs in the bottom of the eighth.”Today it was all me. Two pitches up in the zone. That’s all it was. I can’t make mistakes to those guys.”

“We have to execute better pitches than that,” said head coach Bob Melvin, “It’s not the starters. That’s not the issue. The starters have been the best in the American League this year. Offense hasn’t been a problem for us. Offense has been good, starting pitching has been good. Some other facets haven’t, and they’ve cost us games.”

The Oakland relievers have now cost the A’s 15 losses this season which is tied for most in the majors and their 4.58 ERA is the highest in the league.

“We really just have to find a way to get better with it,” continued Melvin. “The numbers indicate where we are with it and it’s not good, and it’s the reason we’re losing games like that.”

Offensively for Oakland Brett Lawrie and Josh Phegley hit back-to-back homers in the fourth inning and Josh Reddick ripped a two-run shot in the seventh.

The A’s are now 4-17 in one-run games which makes them league leaders in that gut wrenching category.

The A’s send Kendall Graveman (3-2) against C.J. Wilson (3-5) tomorrow in LA.