After falling behind 6-0, the A’s stormed back with nine unanswered runs from the sixth through the eighth innings before holding on for a 9-7 comeback victory over the Los Angeles Angels in the first game of the two-game series. With the win, the Green and Gold remain out of the division cellar and now need just one more victory to avoid a 100-loss season.
Angels Strike First
The Angels got on the scoreboard in the top of the first against A’s opener Brady Basso. Third baseman Denzer Guzman hit an RBI groundout with runners on second and third and one out. Basso did a nice job limiting the damage to one run, as the inning could have gone much worse.
The A’s southpaw rebounded with a scoreless second inning. Meanwhile, Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi began his outing with two scoreless innings. In the bottom of the second, Angels left fielder Bryce Teodosio made a nice catch to takeaway A’s shortstop Alika Williams’ potential game-tying RBI double.
Basso Miscast as Starter
The Angels opened the third inning with three straight singles against Basso, bringing home their second run of the game. Then Guzman delivered the big blow with his eighth home run of the season, a three-run shot that extended the Angels’ lead to 5-0. That marked his fourth straight game with a home run at Sutter Health Park this season.
Basso pitched to five batters and did not retire a single one that inning. Right-hander Scott Blewett replaced him and overcame getting hit in the shin by a comebacker to record three outs and keep the deficit at five runs.
Double Play Bonanza: Angels In Control
Seeking to start the A’s comeback, left fielder Henry Bolte hit a one-out double in the bottom of the third. He advanced to third on Shea Langeliers’ infield single. Kikuchi escaped the jam by getting Lawrence Butler to ground into an inning-ending double play, the Athletics’ American League-leading 125th twin-killer of the season. Joshua Kuroda-Grauer hit No. 126 the next inning as the A’s scoreless streak continued.
Mike Trout recorded his third hit in three at-bats in the fourth inning against A’s right-hander Seth Johnson. The Green and Gold’s trade deadline acquisition got Guzman to ground into an inning-ending double play, preventing the visitors from scoring for a second straight inning. Johnson induced another inning-ending double play in the fifth, completing two scoreless innings of relief.
Johnson tried to complete the top of the sixth, his third inning of work. However, with two outs and a runner on third, Vaughn Grissom hit an RBI single to left, putting the Angels ahead 6-0.
A’s Comeback Begins
The Athletics scoreless streak ended in the bottom of the sixth inning. With one out, Langeliers doubled and then scored on Butler’s RBI triple off the top of the center field wall.
Right-hander Luke Murphy replaced Kikuchi with runners on the corners and one out. The first batter he faced, pinch-hitter Jeff McNeil, reached on a fielder’s choice in which everyone was safe because of Grissom’s throwing error. The hosts’ rally fizzled out from there, keeping the Angels ahead by four runs through six innings.
Left-hander Drew Rom kept the momentum on the A’s side by pitching a scoreless seventh inning. Facing Angels reliever José Fermin, Williams opened the bottom of the seventh with a single. He scored the Athletics’ third run on pinch-hitter Carlos Cortes’ RBI triple, which Los Angeles right fielder Wade Meckler misplayed.
Langeliers’ third hit of the night, an RBI single off the third baseman’s glove, brought home Cortes to make it a 6-4 game. After failing to record an out, Fermin exited in favor of left-hander Tayler Saucedo. The Angels southpaw hit Zack Gelof to load the bases and then walked Jeff McNeil to make it a one-run game.
Right-hander Sam Bachman, the visitors third reliever of the inning, stranded the bases loaded. Pinch-hitter Michael Stefanic hit it to the outfield, but not deep enough to send the bubble-wrapped Langeliers home and then slumping catcher Jonah Heim failed to get a two-out hit.
Clutch Cortes!
In the top of the eighth inning, Cortes made a nice catch in left field to rob Angels shortstop Zach Neto of a potential RBI double. Right-hander Luis Medina stranded two runners, keeping it a one-run contest. He earned his sixth win of the season, as he was the pitcher of record when the A’s took the lead in this crazy game.
The Athletics completed their comeback in the bottom of the eighth inning. Cortes put the Green and Gold up 7-6 with his 10th home run of the season, a two-run shot to right-center field against Bachman.
With two outs, the A’s got valuable insurance runs courtesy of Gelof’s 20th home run of the season, a two-run shot to left field against Angels left-hander Blake Weiman. Gelof has reached the 20 home run mark for the first time, while showcasing his defensive versatility. Additionally, he earned the team’s nomination for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award.
Left-hander Hogan Harris entered for the save opportunity. With two outs, the Angels hit two singles, bringing the tying run to the plate. Christian Moore’s RBI infield single off Harris’ glove cut the A’s lead to two. With Neto and Mike Trout up next, Harris struck out pinch-hitter Oswald Peraza to secure his 16th save of the season.
The Athletics will look to sweep the quick two-game series tomorrow evening. Left-hander Jeffrey Springs will likely make his final start with the A’s at the ballpark that has haunted him this year. The Angels will counter with talented rookie right-hander Walbert Urena.
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