The Los Angeles Angels Taylor Ward (3) hits a home run in the bottom of the first inning as the Oakland A’s catcher Shea Langeliers (23) watches at the Big A in Anaheim on Mon Jun 24, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s (29-52) have really struggled lately on the road. and Monday night those struggles continued losing to the Anaheim Angels (31-46) 5-1 for their eighth road loss. The struggles that Anaheim starting pitcher Griffin Canning had been having did not materialize and he went seven innings with five hits and the one earned run.

Oakland starting pitcher Luis Medina had a rough start going three innings allowing four hits and three runs. Aaron Brooke relieved Medina in the fourth inning and finished the game.

Game recap: Anaheim took the first lead in the game scoring in the first inning. Oakland pitcher Luis Medina gave up a home run to Taylor Ward. Luis Rengifo was on base after being hit by Medina and the Angels had an early two run lead 2-0. Again Oakland trailed early and would have to play catchup.

In the second inning the A’s got on the board when Tyler Nevi homered to center, a solo shot. This was his fifth home run this season. They still trailed 2-1 but they were still in this game.

Anaheim would begin to distance themselves from the A’s in the third inning scoring twice taking a 4-1 lead. Logan O’Hoppe sacrificed and Rengifro scored. A’s first baseman Tyler Soderstrom committed a fielding error allowing Taylor Ward to score from third base taking a 4-1 Angel lead and Anaheim was off and running up the score.

The Angels would strike again in the sixth inning. Mickey Moniak doubled Zach Neto home for a 5-1 lead and Oakland had a lot of work ahead of them. They had six hits so far in the game but they needed more if they would have any chance to salvage this game. Anaheim was not backing down continuing to hit.

The struggles that Griffin Canning had been experiencing did not show up. He ended up going seven innings allowing five hits, one earned run and five strikeouts collecting the win. Canning had a very strong outing. Oakland’s Luis Medina only lasted three innings before leaving the mound. He allowed four hits, three runs, two walks and two strikeouts. He was relieved by Aaron Brooks in the fourth inning. Brooks finished the game with two hits, one run, two walks and two strikeouts.

Neither team would team would score for the remainder of the game. The Angels had eight hits in the game and the A’s had six. Oakland’s road loss record continued as Anaheim walked away with the win 5-1.

Game notes: After dropping a series to the Twins over the weekend, the A’s traveled south to take on the Anaheim Angels. Oakland has been struggling both at home and on the road and was looking to turn things around. They have struggled at times on the mound, at the plate and defensively. The Angels are playing better ball digging their way out of the basement of the American League West.

In Monday nights game, the A’s started Luis Medina and tried to turn things around but surrendered three hits and three earned runs and for the Angels Griffin Canning in seven innings gave up five hits and one earned run.

Media struggled dropping his record to 0-5 and has lost all his June starts. The A’s continue their skid dropping their sixth straight game and the A’s bats only could produce one run Monday night as their hitting continues to suffer. Oakland could hope to break a horrible road losing streak. The A’s have to start hitting consistently, they have to relinquish they’re single here, single there scenario and start stringing hits together. At times they have really been bullied at the plate. Playing catchup has also been a huge issue.

The A’s will go into game two of this series with Mitch Spence taking the mound with a 4-3, ERA 3.86 ERA. The Angels will be looking to Tyler Anderson for a second win in this series. He has a 6-7, 2.48 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 6:38 PM.