Athletics 8 - 1 Angels
Final
  for this game

A's hope to break the brooms out on struggling Angels

Apr 11, 2013 - 2:41 PM (Sports Network) - The Oakland Athletics haven't swept the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in a three-game series in nine years. They'll try to do that and secure their best start in 21 years on Thursday when the American League West foes close out a set at Angel Stadium.

Oakland continued to roll on Wednesday, as Brandon Moss homered and went 3- for-4 with five RBI to lead the Athletics to an 11-5 rout. Seth Smith added three hits, including a pair of doubles, and two RBI and John Jaso had two hits, one RBI and two runs scored for the A's, who have won seven straight.

"Obviously, I've hit some balls well," said Moss. "But no matter what it might look like, I've just had some hits that have found holes and broken bats and roll-overs that have gone through. Sometimes baseball's like that."

Tommy Milone (2-0) allowed four runs on seven hits while fanning five over five full frames to earn the win.

With another win on Thursday the A's would be 6-0 on the road for the first time since 1990 and it would also mark their best 10-game overall start since beginning 8-2 back in 1992.

Albert Pujols had four hits in the loss while Josh Hamilton, Mark Trumbo and Hank Conger added an RBI apiece for the Angels, who have dropped three straight and own the AL's worst record at 2-6.

Joe Blanton (0-2) was tagged for six runs on 10 hits over five-plus innings to absorb the loss.

"There were a couple of situations where I tried to put guys away," Blanton said. "I mean, I generally don't try to strike guys out. I try to make the defense work for me."

Getting the call for Oakland on Thursday will be righty A.J. Griffin, who was impressive in beating Seattle his first time out. Griffin held the Mariners to two runs and seven hits in that one.

Griffin, who was 71- in 15 starts last season as a rookie, beat the Angels the only other time he faced them, tossing eight scoreless innings against them.

The Angels, meanwhile, will counter with lefty Jason Vargas, who pitched well enough to win in his debut with the team. Vargas did not get a decision against the Texas Rangers on Friday, but gave up just a run and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings of his team's 3-2 loss.

Vargas is 5-5 lifetime against the A's with a 3.13 ERA in 15 starts.

The Angels were 9-10 against Oakland a season ago and lost seven of the 10 matchups at home.






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