“He’s been tremendous”, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said of Nolasco.
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Oakland Athletics second baseman Joey Wendle has gone from first major league hit, to first major league RBI, to first major league game-winning hit in a span of five days. He hit three of the first eight batters he faced and lasted only three innings, allowing five runs on five hits in a 10-7 loss. Semien wouldn’t get the chance, however, as Nolasco walked him on four pitches as well before getting pulled from the game in favor of Mike Morin. “I tried to stay with up the middle with it, and that was the product of a rollover ground ball that just found the hole”. Ryan Madson retired three hitters for his 28th save. With no outs, the A’s would have a chance to capitalize further, but the A’s veterans would not be able to follow the young players’ lead and stranded the bases loaded to end the inning with no further damage, but at the very least a 3-2 A ” s lead.
Nolasco (5-13) not only was seeking a second consecutive shutout but also a second straight win in Oakland, having blanked the A’s 3-0 on five hits for the Florida Marlins on June 29, 2011. “At the end of the day, we lost, and it’s going to sting”.
Starting the inning with just 81 pitches, Nolasco walked Yonder Alonso, gave up a hit to Billy Butler and then walked Marcus Semien.
For his two innings of relief, John Axford was credited with the win in support of starter Zach Neal, who tossed six innings while allowing two runs. “Ricky is better than his record indicates”. An Albert Pujols single and a Trout stolen base would set the stage for a well-placed Andrelton Simmons run scoring double to give the Angels a 1-0 nothing lead.
“It’s frustrating”, he assured after falling to 1-5 in seven starts for the Angels. “Our pitchers holding that lineup to two runs.an wonderful night for them”.
“We save our at-bats for when they really count”, Melvin said.
Neal allowed two runs over six innings.
Pujols then scored on Kaleb Cowart’s sacrifice fly. Neal, who struck out five and walked one in his longest stint of the year, bounced back following a rocky outing against the Red Sox.
NOTES: The Angels announced before the game that RHP Matt Shoemaker, who sustained a skull fracture when hit in the head by a line drive Sunday in Seattle, was released from the hospital and is expected to fly to Los Angeles on Wednesday. Shoemaker remained in the Pacific Northwest and could return to Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Arismendy Alcantara is back with the A’s for the fourth time this season, recalled from Class-A Stockton. Alcantara, who began the year with the Chicago Cubs, had been in the minors since August 29. Meyer had been in the minors since arriving as part of the Nolasco trade.
Angels: RHP Alex Meyer (0-1) makes his Angels debut in the afternoon finale of this three-game series at the Coliseum.
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Cotton was one of three pitchers acquired by the A’s when they dealt right fielder Josh Reddick and left-hander Rich Hill to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the trade deadline. He’ll be the third pitcher from the Virgin Islands to appear in the majors.
