Photo credit: @Athletics
By Matthew Harrington
The strength of the 2018 Oakland A’s was a weakness Friday night at the Oakland Coliseum, with the A’s bullpen blowing a two-run lead after seven innings. Joakim Soria surrendered four runs in the eighth to pick up the loss in a 6-2 defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Angels.
Marco Estrada pitched a gem, going six innings while scattering two hits and Khris Davis hit a two-run homer, but the rally punctuated by Andrelton Sinmons’ two-run single proved the difference. Mike Trout also doubled in two runs in the Angels’ first win of 2019.
Estrada and Halos starter Matt Harvey dueled to five scoreless innings each, but Davis tagged Harvey for a two-run jack in the sixth to give the A’s the lead. Enter the lockdown pen.
Lou Trivino picked up a hold after a clean 7th but offseason acquisition Soria entered in the eighth and found himself in hot water instantly. Former Athletic Jonathan Lucroy and Brian Goodwin singled back-to-back to open the inning, then Kole Calhoun doubled in Lucroy.
Soria (0-2, 22.50 ERA) walked Trout to load the bases before departing the game for Ryan Buchter. Buchter walked Justin Bour to tie the game, giving way to Liam Hendriks. Hendriks coughed up Simmons’ two-run single before collecting all three outs of the inning.
Fernando Rodney but gave up three singles and got a double play in the first few batters he faced. Then Trout tagged him for a two-run double and a 6-2 Halos lead. Cody Allen finished the game off for the Halos pen after winning pitcher Hansel Robles (1-0, 0.00) and Ty Buttery pitched scoreless frames.
Brett Anderson takes the hill for the A’s Sunday looking to pick up the second win of the season for the Green and Gold after also dropping two games in the Tokyo Dome to the Mariners earlier in the month. The Angels will send Felix Pena to the mound.
Tag: Los Angeles Angels
Fiers pitches the A’s to their first win of 2019
Photo credit: @nbcbayarea
By Jerry Feitelberg
OAKLAND — It was the second Opening Day for the Oakland A’s Thursday at the Oakland Coliseum. The A’s started the season in Tokyo with two losses to the Seattle Mariners, and they were eager to get their first win of the year. Mike Fiers, who didn’t pitch well in Tokyo, redeemed himself as he went six innings and allowed just one hit. Fiers improved to 1-1 for the season. The A’s bullpen came through, as they did last year with three scoreless innings, and the A’s won 4-0.
The A’s scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the second. Jurickson Profar, making his home debut for the A’s, tripled to right field leading off. Chad Pinder hit a sacrifice fly to center to drive in Profar with the run. The A’s led 1-0 after two complete.
The A’s added a run in the third. With one out, Robbie Grossman singled to left. Grossman stole second and Angels’ starter Trevor Cahill walked Matt Chapman to put men on at first and second with one out. Stephen Piscotty doubled to drive in Grossman with the A’s second run. Cahill pitched his way out of the jam when Chapman tried to score on a ground ball to third. He was thrown out at home for the second out of the inning. Cahill then retired Profar on a flyball to left. The A’s shortstop Marcus Semien hit his first home run of the year when he sent Cahill 91 MPH sinker over the fence in centerfield. The A’s led 3-0 after four.
The A’s DH Khris Davis led off the bottom of the sixth with his second dinger of the year. Cahill had Davis in an 0-2 hole when he threw another 91 MPH sinker that Davis did not miss. The A’s led 4-0 heading into the seventh.
The A’s bullpen did their job as they held the Angels scoreless and preserved the first win of the year for Oakland. The A’s won 4-0.
Game Notes: Marcus Semien and Khris Davis each hit a solo home run for the Green and Gold. Leadoff hitter Robbie Grossman singled in his first two at-bats in his first game at the Coliseum as an Oakland Athletic. Jurickson Profar tripled in his first trip to the plate in the second inning. Stephen Piscotty has hit safely in all three games this year and had an RBI double in the third inning.
Mike Fiers had his best career outing against the Angels, allowing one hit in six scoreless innings.
The A’s are now 1-2, and the Angels are 0-1.
The A’s line was four runs, seven hits, and one error.
The Angels’ line was no runs, three hits, and no errors.
In the eighth inning, the Angels’ Mike Trout survived a scare when he slid into second base. He came up holding his knee, and everyone in the ballpark held their breath as it appeared that he was injured. Fortunately, he hook it off and stayed in the game.
Time of game was two hours and 18 minutes and 22,691 fans watched the A’s win their first game of the season.
Up Next: The A’s and Angels play game two of the four-game series Friday night at 7:07 pm at the Coliseum. Marco Estrada will make his second start for Oakland and Matt Harvey, the former New York Met and Cincinnati Red, will go for the Angels.
Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Avenatti says that Nike paid college athletes; Kings may not make playoffs, but still not giving up games; plus more
Photo credit: @nypost
On Headline Sports with London:
#1 Michael Avenantti, former attorney for Stormy Daniels, has said this week that Nike had paid student-athletes at various colleges. Avenatti has been charged for extortion as he is accused of trying to extort up to $25 million from Nike.
#2 After the feds have made charges against Avenatti for the extortion charge, Avenatti–some 24 hours later–made the claim that Nike was paying its Nike Elite Basketball Youth Program bribes in college basketball.
#3 This is a Sacramento Kings basketball team that never gives up. They lost a close five-point game on Sunday to the Los Angeles Lakers, but turned around on Tuesday night and beat the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas 125-121. They’ve got a little something in the tank.
#4. The Los Angeles Kings’ Drew Doughty has questioned whether the San Jose Sharks Brent Burns should have won the Norris Trophy, saying Burns gets beat three times a game and that the Calgary Flames’ Mark Giordano should get the award. Burns leads the NHL defensemen with 77 points to Giordano, who’s in second with 72.
#5 Baseball season opens on Thursday. The Oakland A’s already opened their season in Tokyo last week and are playing their first regular game stateside against the Los Angeles Angels. How much does this take out of a team with the jet lag playing two exhibitions and two regular games then playing in Oakland just one week later?
London Marq does Headline Sports each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
A’s start 2019 season on Thursday against the Angels
Photo credit: @Athletics
By Jerry Feitelberg
The Oakland A’s, who surprised all of baseball in 2018 by winning 97 games and making the playoffs, have their home opener at the Oakland Coliseum against the Angels on Thursday.
The A’s, skippered by Bob Melvin, return most of the players that helped the club last season. They lost two key players, the second baseman Jed Lowrie, and catcher Jonathan Lucroy. Lowrie went to the Mets, and Lucroy will be in Oakland Thursday as an Angel.
The A’s starting rotation was hard hit by injuries. Several pitchers had Tommy John surgery, and Sean Manaea was lost for the season with a shoulder issue. The A’s obtained Marco Estrada from Toronto to fill one of the holes in the rotation. The A’s did not sign Edwin Jackson, who performed very well in Oakland last year. He is still available and may sign with the A’s later in the year. The A’s starting rotation this year will feature Mike Fiers, Estrada, Brett Anderson, Frankie Montas, and Aaron Brooks. Brooks performed well in spring training and in his last outing, Tuesday night against the San Francisco Giants threw 5 1/3 innings allowing five hits and one run.
The A’s first baseman, Matt Olson, suffered a hand injury in spring training and is out for six to eight weeks. Jurickson Profar will move over to first in his absence. Mark Canha can also place first. The rest of the infield is set with Matt Chapman at third base, Marcus Semien at shortstop, and either Franklin Barreto or Chad Pinder will play second. Canha and Pinder can also play in the outfield. The A’s plan to use Robbie Grossman in left field and as the leadoff hitter. Grossman, formerly with the Minnesota Twins, is a switch hitter. Ramon Laureano will be in center field, and Stephen Piscotty will be in right field.
The catching chores will be handled by Josh Phegley and former Giant Nick Hundley. The A’s have their eyes on catcher Sean Murphy, who will start the season with Triple-A Las Vegas.
The A’s bullpen will be strong again this season. Ryan Buchter is the sole left-handed pitcher in the pen. The A’s will have Yusmeiro Petit, Fernando Rodney, Joakim Soria, Lou Trivino, J.B. Wendelken, and closer Blake Treinen ready to shut down the opposition. The bullpen was a big reason for the A’s success in 2018.
The Angels’ longtime manager Mike Scioscia left the club after the 2018 season His replacement is Brad Ausmusm who had managed the Tigers for several seasons.
The Angels’ pitching staff also saw several pitchers have Tommy John surgery. They have revamped their starting rotation. Former A’s starter, Trevor Cahill, signed with the Angels in the off-season and will start Thursday against Oakland, Cahill pitched very well at the Coliseum but did not do well on the road. The Angels acquired Matt Harvey from the Reds. Harvey, who starred with the Mets before going to the Reds, had a record of 7-9 and a 4.94 ERA. He will be pitching on Friday and making his AL debut. Tyler Skaggs and Felix Pena will see action against the A’s this weekend. The Angels acquired Chris Stratton from the Giants, and he will make his Angel debut next week
The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, was the AL Rookie of the Year, is on the injured list. Ohtani also had Tommy John surgery and will not pitch again until 2020. However, he will be able to hit and will rejoin the club in a couple of months. When he arrives, he will be the DH and Albert Pujols will play first base.
The Angels will use Justin Bour at first base when Pujols is the DH. Tommy LaStella will be at second base. La Stella played with the Cubs last year. Andrelton Simmons will be the shortstop. Zack Cozart, Caleb Cowart, and Taylor Ward will play third base or fill in at the other infield positions if needed.
The Angels with have Kole Calhoun play right field. Mike Trout will be in center field once again. Justin Upton will start the season on the injured list. His spot in left field will be taken by Peter Bourjos.
The A’s hope to bounce back from the two losses they suffered at the hands of the Mariners. They have 160 games left and the A’s know they can no longer be taken lightly. They expect to go to the playoffs again this season. The road to the playoffs begins now.
A’s Rally Just Short in 8-5 Loss to Angels
Photo credit: @athletics_fanly
By Matthew Harrington
The opener concept officially backfired for the Oakland A’s Friday night in Anaheim despite the offense’s best attempt at a trademark eighth inning rally. Following an 8-5 loss to the Halos, A’s manager Bob Melvin has some tweaking to do with his pitching staff with just two days left in the regular season.
The notion seemed to be that either Mike Fiers or Edwin Jackson would start the one-game Wild Card playoff Tuesday against the New York Yankees, but Fiers’ final appearance of the season might not inspire much confidence in a do-or-die situation.
Fiers entered the game after opener Lou Trivino fired a scoreless first inning. The waiver trade acquisition gave up a trio of runs in the second inning after surrendering a run-scoring fielder’s choice and coughing up a two-run homer to Taylor Ward. Mike Trout pulled a pair of homers shy of his career-best in homers, taking Fiers deep in the bottom of the third for his 39th homer of the year and a 3-0 Halos lead.
Fiers departed the game after 3 1/3 innings of work, surrendering another run in the fifth inning. He’d wind up the losing pitcher after coughing up six hits, but he didn’t issue any walks. September call-up Dean Kiekhefer also gave up two runs in the bottom of the seventh, crucial runs for the Angels following the top of the eighth.
The eighth inning has been the A’s best inning offensively and the Green and Gold lead the world in runs scored in that inning. They tacked on a quintet Friday three hits and two walks as well as a timely error. Matt Chapman, Jed Lowrie, and Ramon Laureano knocked in a run each while Marcus Semien doubled in a pair. The A’s would go quietly in the ninth to all, but guarantee the Wild Card contest will be a road game Wednesday at 5:05 pm PT.
Trevor Cahill is slated to start tomorrow’s contest, but Sunday may be a mixture of call-ups and relievers as the A’s try to prepare for the must-win post-season contest.
A’s to conclude regular season against the Angels at Angel Stadium
Photo credit: @Athletics
By: Ana Kieu
The Oakland A’s will wrap up its regular season against the Los Angeles Angels with a three-game series at Angel Stadium. The A’s hope to finish the season on a positive note, while the Angels are just playing for pride right now.
Game 1 will feature A’s right-handed pitcher Mike Fiers (12-7, 3.31 ERA) against the Angels’ right-handed pitcher Jaime Barria (10-9, 3.54 ERA).
As of Thursday, neither team has announced their starters for Games 2 or 3.
The A’s Twitter appeared to be laid-back coming into Friday night’s road game in Anaheim, Calif.
A’s reliever Liam Hendricks, a Perth, Australia native, chooses to remember the millions of pets in need of homes everyday. Hendricks has been showing his support for pet adoption and you can show your support as well. You can get started by tweeting #RememberMeThursday and checking out RememberMeThursday.org for more information on the joy of pet adoption.
Also, there’s still time for you to put in your bid for this week’s Stomper in the Town statues at athletics.com/auctions if you haven’t already done so. There are four types of statues: Stuck on the A’s — McNally’s Irish Pub, Stompedelic — Plank, Hip Hop Stomp — 4496 Broadway and Oakland A’stec Stomper — Everett and Jones.
In my opinion, the A’s deserve to be called the CinderellA’s. But, of course, they’re an American League West team, so they’re not going to get as much love like American League East teams like, say, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.
The A’s were a rebuilding team and weren’t supposed to be good even though they had a high-caliber starting rotation. Of course, the A’s suffered a plethora of injuries, but their DH–Khris Davis–has made his American League MVP case. Whether or not Davis earns the AL MVP title, Davis had himself a heck of a season with 47 home runs as of Thursday. Davis has already joined Mark McGwire and Jimmie Foxx as the only players with three total 40-home run seasons in the A’s 118-year history on September 1st.
Despite obvious flaws, Shohei Ohtani continues to shine for the Angels
Photo credit: @AngelsRadioKLAA
By Mizhuo Takagi
OAKLAND — Despite him missing 2/3rds of the season as a pitcher and the Los Angeles Angels having a losing season, two-way phenomenon Shohei Ohitani has proven his abilities and remains a candidate for the AL Rookie of the Year award.
Ichiro Suzuki was the sensation when he made his Major League debut with the Mariners in 2001, and the high-volume contact hitter not only won the AL Rookie of the Year, but also the AL MVP. 17 years later Ohtani crossed the ocean from Japan, but he is totally different. He is a slugger and a pitcher who can throw the ball over 100 miles per hour.
Ohtani made his debut as DH on March 29, and as a pitcher on April 1. Both debuts occurred in Oakland and the lucky fans in the Bay Area got to watch him hit and pitch.
Ohtani’s two-way endeavor brought excitement to both sides of the Pacific. In fact, there were approximately 200 Japanese reporters and crew members on Opening Day and 100 to 150 through the season when he plays at home.
Ohtani was met with skepticism, but he was named AL Player of the Week on April 8, and later AL Rookie of the Month for April.
When Ohtani’s right elbow injury was reported in June, disappointment spread. It was like, “the dream is over!” But he came back after missing six weeks with the injury and one of the two dreams is still alive. He continues to hit homers and contribute to production.
On September 2, Ohtani became the first player to hit 15 homers and pitch 50 innings since Babe Ruth. Now, he has extended the number of HRs to 20. He received his second career Player of the Week honor on September 10.
Ohtani played DH during three-game series against the A’s from September 18 to 20, and there were Ohtani fans all the way from Japan who stopped by Oakland just to watch him play.
Osamu and Noriko Suzuki, who used to live in Menlo Park in 2001, visited the Bay Area to watch Ohtani play. His first season in the MLB may be a let down, but they felt relieved rather than disappointed.
The Suzukis said, “We were worried about his injury, but he is hitting well and even a Rookie of the Year candidate. It could have been a better season, but I think he has a great season and we are happy for him.”
Japanese college student, Taku Shibata, and his three friends were all decked out in Ohtani t-shirts in Oakland.
Shibata said, “I hope he will continue to play two-way as long as he can. It would have been awesome if I could watch him pitch too, but I will definitely come and watch him when he recovers from injury. He is truly a star for my generation.”
If Ohtani undergoes Tommy John surgery, he will likely not return to the mound until 2020. It has been reported that he has not made any decision yet and is trying to look at other options. So many pitchers have gone through Tommy John surgery, but there is no example nor two-way player like him.
That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Angels Manager Mike Scioscia Likely to Say Goodbye
Photo credit: sbnation.com
By: Amaury Pi-González
OAKLAND, Calif. — Chances are very good that this week was the last time we will see Angels manager Mike Scioscia as manager with the Angels at the Oakland Coliseum. During their last home stand of the season and during the penultimate game at Angel Stadium on Saturday, September 29, the Angels will give everybody in attendance a Mike Scioscia bobblehead, a sellout of 45,000 is expected.
As a manager, Scioscia led the Angels to their only World Series championship on 2002 against the San Francisco Giants.
Scioscia is the all-time managerial leader in wins, games managed and division titles. He also was honored as the American League Manager of the Year Award in 2002 and 2009.
I have very good memories and experiences with Scioscia. Not only did I have the privilege of calling the 2002 World Series for the Giants, but during the past eight seasons, I traveled to Anaheim to do the Spanish play-by-play for the Angels at Fox Sports Network with my good friend José Mota, who does commentary. Mota is bilingual and as qualified as anybody I have ever met in baseball.Although this season the Spanish Fox Sports West production of the Angels ceased to exist due to a business decision by Disney, who acquired a ton of regional sports networks, including Fox Sports West. Anyhow, you can still see Mota during pre and post games for the English Fox Sports and sometimes on Angels’ radio and other MLB outlets.
There were many times where I have interviewed Scioscia in Spanish (Scioscia speaks conversational Spanish) for the Fox Sports’ Angels pregame in Anaheim. He was always available to talk baseball. A man that was in the Los Angeles area was always thought to be the perfect manager for the rival Dodgers, a team he played for 13 seasons from 1980-1992. He was arguably one of the best defensive catchers of any generation. To try to score on a close play at the plate against Scioscia was a tough thing to do, he was Fernando Valenzuela’s first and foremost catcher. Fernando has always told me great things on how Scioscia guided him when he was a Dodgers rookie. Preston Gómez, a great pioneer manager and lifetime baseball man, once told me: “Scioscia era el hombre que los Dodgers debían de haber firmando de manager.” Translation: “Sciosica was the man that the Dodgers should have signed as their manager.”
On March 29th when the Angels played the A’s at the home opener in Oakland, Scioscia told me this: “I really like my ballclub this year.” Unfortunately, injuries to his pitching staff, many Tommy John surgeries–all while the news broke that Japanese rookie sensation Shohei Othani, who could be the Rookie of the Year in the AL, was also told he had to submit to the surgery.
The Angels’ best player in the game is Mike Trout. Scioscia and Trout have the ultimate respect for each other. They are both huge fans of the Super Bowl champions Philadelphia Eagles. Trout was born and raised in southern New Jersey and Mike Scioscia hails from Pennsylvania. Obviously, Scioscia’s team was not the one that was going to chase the Houston Astros or even contend for a Wild Card spot.
Scioscia could write his own ticket. I do not know what he will choose to do after his managerial life, but whatever he does, he will be just as good as he has been as the Angels manager for the last 19 seasons–the longest tenured manager in the MLB. He could possibly take an advisory position and assistant to Angels owner Arturo “Arte” Moreno. I can easily see that.
Listen to A’s home games in Spanish on KIQI 1010AM/990AM in San Francisco/Oakland/San José/Sacramento/Stockton.
A’s win the series vs. Angels with 21-3 blowout
Photo credit: @Athletics
By Jerry Feitelberg
OAKLAND, Calif. — The A’s won a laugher as they rapped out 22 hits and put 21 runs on the board to blowout the Los Angeles Angels 21-3 and win the series 2-1. Angels manager Mike Scioscia, who is rumored to be retiring at the end of the season, probably will need some Tylenol to remove his headache or antacid to calm his stomach after Thursday’s debacle. The A’s hitters were scorching hot, and it is too bad there is not a run bank so that the A’s could have some stored for the weekend series versus the Minnesota Twins.
The Angels drew first blood in the top of the third. With one out, A’s starter Edwin Jackson walked Angels right fielder Kole Calhoun. The next hitter, Jose Fernandez’s drive into right field went for a double that drove in Calhoun to give the Angels a 1-0 lead.
In their half of the third, the A’s jumped all over Angels starter Matt Shoemaker as they put five runs on the board and sent Shoemaker to an early shower. A’s catcher Josh Phegley got things going when he led off the inning with a single. Nick Martini followed with a single to put two men on with no out. Matt Chapman, who has been playing well in the second half of the season, doubled to drive in Phegley and Martini. Jed Lowrie hit a solid line drive for a single. Chapman went to third on the play. Shoemaker settled down as he struck out Khris Davis and Matt Olson. He did not get out of the inning as Stephen Piscotty, who had homered and doubled last night to drive in five, continued his hot hitting as he blasted his 26th big fly of the year into the seats in left field to put the A’s ahead 5-1. Scioscia brought in former A’s reliever, Jim Johnson, to get the final out of the inning.
In the bottom of the fourth, the A’s put on a hitting clinic. Johnson was greeted by a single off the bat of Marcus Semien. The next hitter, Josh Phegley, lined out to Mike Trout who was able to double up Semien, who was running on the pitch. The inning appeared to be over when Martini hit a ground ball to Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons. Simmons throw to first went for an error. That miscue opened the floodgates as the A’s hitters went to town on Johnson. The A’s had five straight singles before Ramon Laureano doubled. Semien singled. Josh Phegley flew out to right field to end the inning. The A’s put seven runs on the board and had eight hits in the inning. Six of the runs were unearned. The A’s had a commanding 12-1 lead after four complete.
Angels star Mike Trout hit a solo home run in the top of the sixth off of Jackson. Jackson then walked Angels’ DH Shohei Ohtani. A’s manager Bob Melvin went to the mound and brought in Emilio Pagan to finish the inning. The A’s onslaught continued in the bottom of the sixth. Davis started the rally with a double. Angels’ reliever Miguel Almonte walked Olson and Piscotty to load the bases. Ramon Laureano’s single drove in Davis for the first run of the inning. With the bases loaded, Semien’s double cleared the bases. For Semien, it gave him a career-high five RBIs in a game. The hit parade continued when Phegley singled to drive in Semien with the A’s 17th run of the day. Phegley scored the sixth run of the inning and eighteenth of the game on Nick Martini’s single.
In the seventh, Scioscia decided to use his catcher, Francisco Arcia, as the pitcher. The use of a position player as a pitcher worked for just two hitters. Arcia retired Semien and Matt Joyce. He gave up a single to Phegley. It was Phegley’s third hit of the day. Martini then blasted the first home run of his career to make it 20-2. Chad Pinder, who replaced Chapman at third, took Arcia deep for his 12th of the year and the A’s increased the advantage to 21-2.
The Angels scored a run in the top of the ninth. Francisco Arcia homered with two out to score the Angels’ third run of the game, but it was too little, too late. Arcia became the first player in MLB history to pitch, catch and homer in the same game.
The A’s routed the Halos 21-3.
Game Notes: Edwin Jackson was the winning pitcher. He pitched 5 1/3 innings and allowed one run and three hits. His record for the season improved to 6-3 and the A’s have won 13 of the 16 games that he has started.
The Angels’ Matt Shoemaker absorbed the loss, and his record dropped to 2-2.
The A’s are now 92-61 for the season, while the Angels fell to 75-78.
With the win, the A’s improved their record to 58-25 dating back to June 16, which is the best record in the Major Leagues over that span.
The A’s lowered their magic number to five to clinch a Wild Card spot. They currently have a six-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays, who play tonight. They are currently two games out of the first AL Wild Card spot behind the Yankees, who play tonight.
The A’s accounted for 21 runs on the game, the most runs the A’s have scored in a contest since June 18, 2000, at Kansas City. The 21 runs are tied for second in Oakland history.
The 18-run margin of victory was second largest in Oakland history.
This is the third time in Oakland history, the A’s have scored five or more runs in an inning three times in one game (June 14, 1969, at Boston; Sept. 30, 2000, vs. Texas).
Matt Chapman amassed his 24th double of the second half, which is now tied with Rajai Davis for the most doubles post All-Star break in A’s history.
Stephen Piscotty clubbed his seventh homer of the month and now has 22 RBI in September. He recorded his 85th RBI of the season in the bottom of the fourth inning, matching his career best. He leads the Majors in RBI for the month and is tied for first with seven homers.
Marcus Semien tallied a career-high five RBIs in the contest.
Nick Martini clubbed his first career round-tripper in the seventh inning.
Up Next: The A’s play the last three home games of the season starting Friday night versus the Minnesota Twins at 7:05 pm PDT. After the home series versus the Twins, the A’s finish the season on the road with three in Seattle and three more in Anaheim.
The A’s have not announced their starting pitcher for Friday night. It is possible that it will be a bullpen game. The Twins will send Jose Berrios to the mound. He is 11-11 with a 3.81 ERA.
Anderson, A’s trounce the Angels 10-0
Photo credit: @Acbeam
By Jerry Feitelberg
OAKLAND, Calif. — Brett Anderson had his best performance of the season as he led the A’s to a 10-0 win over the Angels. Anderson made his third start since coming off the DL and was in total control as he throttled the Angels’ offense. He went 6 2/3 innings and allowed no runs and three hits. The A’s bullpen of Ryan Dull, Frankie Montas, and Aaron Brooks gave up one hit the rest of the way. The A’s came to life as they put 10 runs on the scoreboard. Stephen Piscotty was the hitting star with a double, home run and five RBIs.
The A’s put on their hitting shoes in the bottom of the fourth as they sent 10 men to the plate and scored six runs on six hits and a walk. Nick Martini and Matt Chapman singled to start the rally. Jed Lowrie doubled to drive in the first two runs of the night. Khris Davis reached on an infield single, and Lowrie went to third on the play. Pen walked Matt Olson to load the bases. Piscotty doubled to clear the bases, and the A’s had a 5-0 lead. Ramon Laureano singled, and Piscotty advanced to third. Pena struck out Marcus Semien for the first out of the inning. Jonathan Lucroy hit a sacrifice fly to left field to drive in Piscotty with the sixth run of the inning. The A’s led 6-0 after four.
The A’s continued the onslaught in the bottom of the fifth. Angels manager Mike Scioscia replaced Felix Pena with Parker Bridwell. Matt Chapman singled to start the A’s rally. Bridwell retired Lowrie for the first out. Davis walked to put men on at first and second. Bridwell struck out Matt Olson for out number two. Piscotty blasted his 25th home run of the year about four rows deep in the second deck in left field. He has hit a career-high 25 home runs and a career-high 81 RBIs. The A’s led 9-0 after five.
The A’s put the 10th run of the night on the board in the seventh. A’s manager Bob Melvin inserted some of the role players as the game was well in hand at this point. Franklin Barreto hit for Lowrie and struck out. Matt Joyce, hitting for Davis, singled and was safe on second on a throwing error by Jefry Marte. Olson reached on the fielder’s choice. Piscotty was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Ramon Laureano hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Joyce with the A’s 10th run, which was unearned. There was no more scoring as the A’s won their 91st of the year by a final score of 10-0.
Game Notes: The A’s picked up a game on the Astros as Houston lost to Seattle. They are four back with just 10 games left to play. The Yankees won again on Wednesday and the lead the A’s by 2 1/2 games in the race for the first Wild Card spot.
A’s Brett Anderson was the winning pitcher. His record for the year is now 4-5.
Angels’ Felix Pena absorbed the loss. His record dropped to 3-5.
Up Next: Game three of the series will be played Thursday afternoon at 12:30 pm PDT at the Coliseum. The A’s will send Edwin Jackson to the mound. Jackson (5-3, 3.17 ERA) Jackson will be opposed by the Angels’ Matt Shoemaker (2-1, 3.98 ERA)
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