by Jerry Feitelberg

AP photo: The Los Angeles Angels Yunel Escobar comes in sliding past the Oakland A’s catcher Stephen Vogt in the sixth inning of Monday night’s game in Oakland

OAKLAND–The Los Angeles Angels defeated the Oakland A’s Monday night 4-1 in the first game of the three-game series. Angels’ all-star center fielder, Mike Trout, hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning to send A’s ace Sonny Gray down to his first defeat of the year. The A’s are still in first place in the AL West with a record of 4-4. The Angels improve to 3-4. The game summary follows below.The Angels scored three runs on three hits in the top of the sixth inning. Sonny Gray was sailing along allowing just two hits in five innings of work before heading into the fateful sixth. With one out, Yunel Escobar doubled to right center field. A’s right fielder; Josh Reddick made a valiant effort to catch the ball, but it just eluded hos outstretched arm. Daniel Nava singled to drive in Escobar with the Angels’ first run of the game. The next batter, Mike Trout, sent a Sonny Gray pitch over the left Centerfield wall for his first home run of the season to put the Angels in the lead 3-0.

The Angels scored three runs on three hits in the top of the sixth inning. Sonny Gray was sailing along allowing just two hits in five innings of work before heading into the fateful sixth. With one out, Yunel Escobar doubled to right center field. A’s right fielder; Josh Reddick made a valiant effort to catch the ball, but it just eluded hos outstretched arm. Daniel Nava singled to drive in Escobar with the Angels’ first run of the game. The next batter, Mike Trout, sent a Sonny Gray pitch over the left Centerfield wall for his first home run of the season to put the Angels in the lead 3-0.

The Angels added a run in the top of the eighth. Albert Pujol;s singled sharply to left to start the frame. With one out, Pujols, believe it or not, stole second for his first stolen base of the year. Hendricks retired C.J.Cron for the second out, but, Angels’ shortstop Andrelton Simmons singled to drive in Pujols with the run.

In the bottom of the ninth, the A’s scored with two outs to avoid the shutout. Jed Lowrie led off with a single. He advanced to second on a ground out. Yonder Alonso flew out to center for the second out. Marcus Semien singled to drive in Lowrie with the A’s first run of the game. Angels’ manager, Mike Scioscia brought in his closer, Huston Street, to face Coco Crisp. Coco flew out to left to end the game. The Angels take the opener of the three-game series 4-1. Nick Tropeano won his first game of the year, and Sonny Gray took the loss. His record is 1-1 for the year.

Game Notes- The Angels snapped the A’s three-game winning streak. The A’s pinch-hitters are 0-for-10 with three strikeouts to start the season. Coco Crisp was 2-for-5 with a triple, and Jed Lowrie went 2-for-four.

The A’s meet the Angels again Tuesday night at the Coliseum. Game time will be at 7:05 pm. Kendall Graveman will pitch for Oakland, and the Angels will send lefty Hector Santiago to the mound. Each pitcher will be seeking his first win of the young season.

Time of game was three hours and five minutes. 13,371 fans watch the A’s go down to defeat.