Final
Angels try to draw closer to A's in AL West
Jun 11, 2014 - 2:55 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim can't conclude their series with the Oakland Athletics having overtaken the club for first place in the division, but they can certainly give their rivals something to think about going forward.The Angels look to extend their longest winning streak of the season and finish off a three-game sweep of the Athletics on Wednesday night.
Los Angeles has won five in a row and six of seven to pull within 2 1/2 games of first-place Oakland heading into this series finale. The Angels came into the set having lost five of six to the A's already this year, but can now sweep the club for the first time since Sept. 3-5, 2012 in Oakland.
Collin Cowgill's two-out home run in the bottom of the 14th inning sent the Angels to a walk-off 2-1 victory last night. He lined a 1-2 offering from Jeff Francis over the wall in left for his first career game-ending homer.
Cowgill had three hits and Josh Hamilton added two hits and an RBI for the Angels.
"We were fortunate tonight," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia. "We had opportunities and we didn't get it done. We played a little sloppy in some areas."
Jed Lowrie tied the game for Oakland with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning and outfielder Yoenis Cespedes saved a run with an amazing throw from left field in the bottom of the frame.
The Angels' Mike Trout doubled down the left field line with Howie Kendrick on first and Cespedes bobbled the hop in the outfield. Kendrick raced around third and attempted to score, but Cespedes gathered the ball in foul territory and threw a looping strike to catcher Derek Norris, who applied the tag as Kendrick slid home.
"You don't expect something like that," said A's manager Bob Melvin. "We know (Cespedes) has a great throwing arm. There aren't too many guys in the game that have that kind of arm strength."
Jered Weaver will take the mound for the Angels tonight looking to work past some recent issues.
Weaver struggled in a loss to Oakland on June 1, giving up five earned runs and 11 hits over six innings. The righty fell to 11-8 in this matchup with a 2.40 earned run average in 27 meetings.
Weaver then faced the Chicago White Sox on Friday and though he posted an 8-4 win, he did allowed five hits and four walks over six frames. He limited the damage to just two runs, however, and helped himself by striking out nine.
"I was battling to make pitches when I needed to," said Weaver. "My curveball was pretty sharp. It was a good pitch against that lineup. The story tonight was our offense. It took the pressure off of me."
The 31-year-old has won three of four and six of his last eight decisions, sitting 7-4 on the year with a 3.31 ERA.
Scheduled Oakland starter Tommy Milone has not lost since May 3, winning each of his last three decisions over a six-start span. He has not allowed more than three runs in any of those outings, but still posted his second straight no-decision on Friday in Baltimore.
The left-hander gave up three runs on eight hits over six innings against the Orioles, walking none but yielding a pair of homers in his club's 4-3 victory.
Milone improved to 3-3 with a 3.68 ERA on the season. The 27- year-old is 5-2 lifetime against the Angels in nine starts, including a pair of no-decisions this season.
- OAKLAND: 7
LOS ANGELES: 1
Final
Jun 12 1:31 AM - Yoenis Cespedes single to center scored Coco Crisp with two out. Runner on first and Brandon Moss due up.
Athletics 7, Angels 1 Top 9, 2 OutsJun 12 1:16 AM - Coco Crisp advances to second and Eric Sogard scored on Cory Rasmus throwing error on the pickoff attempt. Runner on second with two outs and Yoenis Cespedes at the plate.
Athletics 6, Angels 1 Top 9, 2 OutsJun 12 1:15 AM - Coco Crisp single to right scored Craig Gentry with one out. On the play, Eric Sogard advances to second. Runners on first and second with one out and John Jaso due up.
Athletics 5, Angels 1 Top 9, 1 OutJun 12 1:11 AM - Stephen Vogt one-out, two-run Home Run (1) to right scored Brandon Moss. Alberto Callaspo due up.
Athletics 4, Angels 1 Top 6, 1 OutJun 11 11:55 PM - Jed Lowrie sacrifice fly to center scored Yoenis Cespedes with one out. Runner on first and Stephen Vogt due up.
Athletics 2, Angels 1 Top 6, 1 OutJun 11 11:52 PM - Josh Hamilton double to right scored Mike Trout with one out. Runner on second and C.J. Cron due up.
Athletics 1, Angels 1 Bot 4, 1 OutJun 11 11:19 PM - Yoenis Cespedes single to left scored Coco Crisp with two out. Runner on first and Brandon Moss due up.
Athletics 1, Angels 0 Top 3, 2 OutsJun 11 10:50 PM - OAKLAND: 0
LOS ANGELES: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Jun 11 10:12 PM
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