By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s took on the division rival Los Angeles Angels Saturday afternoon in the first of a three game series. Although struggling the Angels have some mighty hitters with Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon, David Fletcher and Tommy La Stella leading the group.

Starting pitcher for the A’s was Chris Bassitt, who really struggled against the Diamondbacks this past week, was on the mound. With the bases loaded and 1 out, the Angels Brian Goodwin hit a bullet off Bassitt but lined it into a double play saving a number of runs.

The score was 1-0 in the top of the first inning. David Fletcher had doubled to left to start the game and scored when Mike Trout grounded into a fielders choice. Griffin Canning would be on the mound for the Angels dismissing the A’s in the bottom of the inning.

The game went into the second inning. The Angels had started both innings with doubles, Jordan Adell hitting the second one. He would score when Matt Chapman had a second error for the team. The score was 2-0.

The game would break wide open when Mike Trout came to the plate hitting a deep left field double and two runs would score, Fletcher and Luis Rengifo. The A’s were able to get on the board in the bottom of the second inning when Tony Kemp doubled scoring Mark Canha.

After only two innings the Angels led 4-1. This game started looking real sloppy for Oakland with two errors in the first two innings. Not the way the A’s wanted to start this game. It was a much improved third inning for Chris Bassitt and the A’s. Bassitt’s pitch count was at 63 through three innings which is nothing to write home about but the third inning was quick and strong.

It’s the way the A’s really wanted to start the game. Unfortunately the A’s would go three up and three down and it was on to the top of the fourth inning. It was three up and three down for Bassitt in the fourth inning and it was going a whole lot better for the pitcher.

First up at bat for the A’s turned out to be Matt Chapman’s ninth homer of the season and the score was 4-2. There would be no more scoring for the A’s in the inning. First up in the fifth inning was Mike Trout for the Angels always a scary prospect.

The mantra when he comes to bat, for most fans and and I’ll bet some players, is “please don’t let him connect .” He had a nice hit which was corralled by Marcus Semien and dug out by Matt Olson at first for the out.

A collective deep breath getting by Trout. Otani was next at bat for the Angels. He has struggled mightily with a batting average of .171 and the struggle continued as he struck out. Goodwin would also strike out to end the inning for Los Angeles.

Allen Austin would have a line drive single to start the bottom of the fifth. A double play off a Semien hit emptied the bases. Laureano would have a single followed by an Olson double to deep right that brought Laureano in and the A’s were trailing by a single run 4-3.

Mark Canha would strike out for the third out leaving two runners stranded. Chris Bassitt would leave the game after 5 2/3 innings replaced by Lou Trivino. After a rather shaky start Bassitt really turned things around.

Trivino would quickly finish the top of the 6th inning. Andriese would take the mound, when Canning was pulled, to face Grossman, Piscotti and Kemp. It would be a three up three down for Andriese. The A’s would walk Mike Trout with one out in the top of the seventh followed by a pop fly to left by Rendon.

There would be a pitching change in the inning for the A’s as TJ McFarland took the mound facing Otani. A third error by the A’s got Otani to first base as Trout advanced to second. The Angels would strand a pair when Goodwin pop flied out.

The A’s had three errors in this game which was a huge disappointment for the team. Coming into this game they had only ten errors the entire season. The Angels would finish the four inning with a three up three down and the A’s would have two innings left to either tie or win this game.

We have come to expect miracles from this team and one right now would be nice. Of course they would also have to hold off the Angels in the 8th and ninth innings. The A’s were able to contain the Angels through the eighth and ninth innings.

They had the ninth inning to either tie or walkoff after a three up three down for the A’s in the eighth inning. It was another three up three down for Oakland and the loss 4-3. It was a strange day for the team.

Was it the disgusting air quality or everything that is going on in California– this was without doubt one strange game. For the most part it was sluggish and they all seemed out of sorts. As far as Chris Bassitt.

He really had some interesting things to say at his presser. He is absolutely happy that he will not fact the Angels again. “I am sick of facing Mike Trout,” he said. He said he had a lot of faith in the guys behind him but they certainly let him down today.

I have to say that the highlight of this game was the introduction of the players by family members. This brought a little sunshine to a game that was devoid of anything cheerful. I really feel that the team will bring a whole lot more to the park tomorrow. They know how important winning series are this year and they need to bring all of it to game three—I believe that they will do just that.

Starting pitchers for Sunday: The Los Angeles Angels will start Dylan Bundy (3-2 ERA 2.48) vs. Oakland A’s starter Frankie Montas (2-2 ERA 4.74)