Angels 1 - 4 Athletics
Final
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A's attempt to bounce back versus Angels

Jun 20, 2015 - 12:20 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - A battle in the American League West rages on Saturday at the Coliseum when the Oakland Athletics try to bring an end to a two-game slide as they host the LA Angels of Anaheim.

Oakland, which is holding down last place in the division, 11 1/2 games out of contention, actually opened the series by scoring three runs in the bottom of the first to take an early lead, but then surrendered eight in the seventh frame en route to the 12-7 setback.

Albert Pujols continued his assault on opponent pitching by connecting on the 13th grand slam of his career, finishing with a pair of hits, leading to five RBI and three runs scored. The AL leader in home runs with 20, Pujols has nine of those in June alone, generating 19 RBI and scoring 16 times while hitting .354 during the month.

"He's one of the best players in the game for a reason," Angels right fielder Kole Calhoun said of Pujols. "Has been for a long time. Came up in a big spot, got the pitch he was looking for and put a good swing on it."

Johnny Giavotella contributed to the victory with three RBI, while Mike Trout and Erick Aybar both crossed the plate twice.

LA starting pitcher Matt Shoemaker managed to make it through just four innings, giving up five runs on eight hits and a walk, striking out a pair. By throwing just a single pitch, Fernando Salas was credited with his first win, while Joe Smith notched his 19th save.

"We were in a pretty bad hole, a five-run deficit, and we come back and win," said Shoemaker. "That says a lot about the position players."

Like Shoemaker, Oakland starter Sonny Gray wasn't around to see the end of the contest as he permitted five earned runs on five hits and three walks in six innings. Blowing his second save opportunity, Edward Mujica was hit with the loss after retiring just a single batter.

Of the seven runs generated by Oakland, all but one came from Ben Zobrist and Stephen Vogt as both knocked in three runs and went deep for the host. Billy Burns, who tallied three of his team's 11 hits, scored twice during the setback.

Right-hander Jered Weaver is scheduled to make the start this afternoon for the Angels. Weaver, who has never had a losing record since breaking into the league with LA back in 2006, has been struggling quite a bit in 2015 and is currently dealing with a 4-7 mark, having lost three straight outings.

The last trip to the mound for Weaver was Monday when he sized up Arizona at home. The California native stayed around for seven innings, permitting four earned runs on eight hits -- two home runs -- and a pair of walks in what ended up being a 7-3 loss.

Sporting a record of 0-2 with a 7.36 ERA in day games this season, Weaver has a career mark of 13-10 to go along with an ERA of only 2.64 in 32 matchups versus the A's.

Still in his infancy, compared to Weaver, Jesse Hahn prepares to counter the Angels ace. The right-hander out of Virginia Tech is in just his second season in the major, after pitching for San Diego in 2014 when he finished 7-4.

This time around Hahn is off to a 4-5 start, but he has won two straight and three of his last four decisions, the latest being a 9-1 victory over his former Padres mates on the road Monday. In that contest Hahn allowed one run on three hits and a two walks, fanning four over 6 2/3 innings.

Hahn went up against the Angels in late April at home, giving up three runs on four, over five innings, during a 6-3 loss although he did not factor into the decision.






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