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 It quickly became clear that the Angels weren't going to get
swept at Oakland for the second time this season.
The Angels scored three runs in the second, two in the third and
three more in the fourth en route to a 9-0 lead, and they cruised to
a 9-4 victory over the A's. Los Angeles (77-52) moved a game ahead
of Oakland (76-53) in the American League West standings.
Left fielder Josh Hamilton hit a two-run homer, center fielder Mike
Trout added a solo shot, and right-hander Jered Weaver held the A's
to three runs over 6 2/3 innings for the win.
"It was a big game, but we're going to play a bunch more against
these guys," Weaver said. "Obviously, we didn't want to get swept.
Our offense was the story of the night. Doing a great job against a
guy who's having a pretty good season (A's left-hander Scott
Kazmir). For them to jump on him and get some early runs and keep
capitalizing and score a lot of runs makes it a little bit easier on
the pitching staff."
Weaver gave up eight hits, struck out eight and walked none. After
going 0-2 with a 7.15 ERA in his first two starts against the A's
this season, Weaver (14-7) held Oakland scoreless Sunday before
giving up three runs in the seventh.
The Angels lost Garrett Richards to a season-ending knee injury last
week, but Weaver made it clear that that they still have some
firepower in their rotation.
"Weaver came out throwing strikes," Trout said. "We needed a big
outing out of him, and we got it. He's our ace. With Garrett going
down, he's our go-to guy, him and C.J. (Wilson). Obviously, the
other starters are helping out a lot. We needed a (win) tonight, and
we got one."
Kazmir, a 2014 All-Star, had a nightmare start. He allowed seven
runs and 10 hits, matching his season highs, while lasting only
three innings. Kazmir (14-6) walked two, struck out one and lost for
the third time in his past five starts. His ERA rose from 2.73 to
3.08.
"Just location," Kazmir said of his problem. "I maybe hit one spot
the whole game. There were times I felt I could take control of the
game, get two strikes on a guy and then throw one right down the
middle. I felt like I wasn't aggressive enough."
Hamilton stayed hot, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs and scoring
twice. Right fielder Kole Calhoun had three of the Angels' 13 hits,
while Trout, first baseman Albert Pujols and shortstop Erick Aybar
each had two. Aybar drove in two runs with a second-inning double.
"Just barreling balls up," said Hamilton, who had a long stint on
the disabled list earlier this season and appeared in just his 78th
game. "I think that's the biggest thing. I'm not going to get the
numbers I normally have from this point out, but I can have good
at-bats and I can contribute every night however I can."
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A's third baseman Alberto Callaspo, a former Angel, went 3-for-4
with a double in the third and a two-run homer in the seventh. Later
in the seventh, shortstop Andy Parrino launched a solo shot, his
first blast of the season and second of his career.
Before the game began, the A's placed closer Sean Doolittle on the
15-day disabled list with a strained right intercostal muscle.
Catcher John Jaso will go on the seven-day concussion disabled list
Monday. Third baseman Josh Donaldson missed the game with a sore
left knee, but an MRI revealed no structural damage, and he might be
able to play Monday at Houston.
"It's just something you have to deal with," A's manager Bob Melvin
said of the injuries. "Regardless, we feel like every time we take
field no matter who we run out there, we feel like we're gonna win."
The A's and Angels will play a four-game series at Anaheim that
starts Thursday, and they will meet again for three games at the
Coliseum on Sept. 22-24.
"They're a scrappy club," Weaver said. "They won't quit, just like
us. Coming out of here with a win is a lot better than getting
swept. It's nice to come out of the series on top of the AL West."
NOTES: The A's placed LHP Sean Doolittle on the 15-day disabled list
due to a strained right intercostal muscle. Doolittle was injured
while throwing his second-to-last pitch in the ninth inning Saturday
night en route to his 20th save. Oakland recalled RHP Dan Otero from
Triple-A Sacramento. ... The A's acquired C Geovany Soto from Texas
for cash. He is expected to report to the team Monday at Houston
when the A's open a three-game series. Oakland C John Jaso, who
battled concussion symptoms the past two weeks, will be placed on
the seven-day disabled list Monday. ... LHP Wade LeBlanc will make
his first start for the Angels on Monday when they face the Miami
Marlins in the opener of a seven-game homestand.
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