The Oakland A’s Conner Capel swings for a first inning single to score Tony Kemp at Anaheim Stadium against the Los Angeles Angeles on Wed Sep 28, 2022 (AP News photo)

A’s Drop Game Two To Angels 4-1

By Barbara Mason

After losing a close game to the Los Angeles Angels (69-86) Tuesday night, the Oakland A’s (56-99) were looking to even the series Wednesday night. The A’s were tied with the Angels into the eighth inning Tuesday night but Los Angeles scored a single run in the eighth and that was the ball game 4-3.

Oakland scored in tonights game in the first inning taking a 1-0 lead. Connor Capel singled driving in Tony Kemp for the early lead.

The Angels started hitting in the fourth inning. After a quiet Tuesday night, Mike Trout, who is always a threat, hit a homer to center to tie up the game 1-1. Matt Thaiss would follow with a single and Shohei Otani scored to give Los Angeles the lead 2-1. They would extend that lead when Matt Duffy grounded into a fielder’s choice to shortstop and Taylor Ward scored.

Taylor Ward would strike again in the eighth inning knocking one out of Angel Stadium giving Los Angeles a 4-1 lead. That would be the final. Oakland’s starting pitcher Adrian Martinez only lasted 4.2 innings allowing five hits and three runs. He had four strikeouts.

The A’s relief pitching only allowed two hits through the remainder of the game sending in five pitchers, Sam Selman, Norge Ruiz, Kirby Snead, Austin Pruitt and Domingo Acevedo.

The Angels starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen went five innings and allowed three hits and one run with eight strikeouts.

In Game Three of this series we will get to see Shohei Ohtani on the mound for Los Angeles currently with a 2.47 ERA and a 14-8 win /loss record. This could possibly be Ohtani’s last start this season. Cole Irvin will start for the A’s. He has a 4.05 ERA and a 9-12 win/lloss record. First pitch is scheduled for 6:38 PM PT.