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Cespedes keys big rally, as A's hold off Angels

Aug 9, 2012 - 3:35 AM Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Yoenis Cespedes' go-ahead, two-run single highlighted a five-run sixth inning as the Oakland Athletics downed the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 9-8, in the rubber match of a three-game set.

Chris Carter and George Kottaras smacked two-run homers for the A's, who improved to an AL-leading 17-8 since the All-Star break.

Pat Neshek (1-0) recorded the final out in the sixth to pick up the win and Ryan Cook allowed two runs in the ninth, but still notched his 12th save of the year when Erick Aybar grounded out to end the game with the tying run on second.

Kendrys Morales cracked a pair of long balls for the Angels, who have dropped six of their last eight games.

In his third start with the Halos, Zack Greinke surrendered four runs on six hits and five walks in five innings. He's 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA so far with the Angels.

"When you score eight runs you have to find a way to win a ball game," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia. "We didn't get it done."

Chris Iannetta cracked a leadoff homer in the third, while Torii Hunter launched a one-out solo shot and Morales scalded a two-run blast in the fifth to make it 5-4 in favor of the Angels, but the A's surged ahead following their five-run sixth.

Cliff Pennington started the inning against LaTroy Hawkins (2-3) with a walk and moved to second on Jemile Weeks' sacrifice bunt. Coco Crisp plated him with a double to right. Josh Reddick worked a two-out walk and a double steal put runners on second and third. Cespedes then lined a single to right, bringing home Reddick and Crisp. Carter followed and cracked a two-run shot to left-center, giving Oakland a 9-5 lead.

"To get (Greinke) out in the fifth inning and to get into their bullpen, (which) has been shaky all year, had to be a building block for us," said Reddick.

Mark Trumbo blasted a solo shot deep into the seats in left-center in the seventh, cutting the deficit to 9-6.

The Halos had runners on the corners with none away in the eighth, but Sean Doolittle struck out Iannetta, Mike Trout and Hunter to end the threat.

Howie Kendrick lined a two-run single with two outs in the ninth to make it 9-8. He stole second to put himself in scoring position, but Erick Aybar grounded out to Pennington at shortstop to end the contest.

Earlier, Morales smacked a one-out solo shot down the right field line in the second to get the Angels on the board, but the A's countered by pushing across four in the home half.

After Carter walked to being the frame, Kottaras drilled a two-run homer to dead center. Following Brandon Inge's strikeout, Greinke walked the bases loaded and consecutive RBI singles by Brandon Moss and Reddick gave Oakland a 4-1 lead.

Game Notes

Carter has hit seven of his 10 homers since the All-Star break...It was Morales' ninth career two-homer game...In his second career start, Dan Straily was charged with five runs on eight hits and a walk in 4 2/3 innings.