A's Take Series Over Angels with 9-8 Win in Matinee

It was a game that was supposed to be about pitching: A's top prospect Dan Straily was facing off against former Cy Young winner Zach Greinke of the Angels.

It ended up being all about offense, as both pitchers were horrendous. Straily allowed five runs in 4.2 innings, and Greinke allowed four runs in five innings.

The scoring came early and often, with the lead changing a few times. Kendrys Morales got the Halos on the board first with a solo shot in the second, but George Kottaras showcased some power for the A's, hitting a two run shot in the bottom half of the second to give the Athletics a 2-1 lead.

The A's would extend their lead to 4-1 against Greinke, who walked six and was erratic throughout the game.

But the Angels would battle back against Straily, who was coming off a terrific debut against the Toronto Blue Jays. Solo home runs by Chris Iannetta and Torii Hunter in the third and fifth cut the lead to 4-3. Then, Morales woulds strike again with his second home run of the game, a two-run shot to give the Halos a 5-4 lead in the fifth.

The theme of lead changes would continue, but this time, the A's would not look back. In the sixth, a Coco Crisp single scoring Cliff Pennington from second base tied the game at 5-5. Then, later in the inning, a double steal put runners at second and third for Yoenis Cespedes, who smacked a single into right field for two RBIs. And, to put the cherry on top, Chris Carter launched a home run into left, putting the A's ahead for good, 9-5.

But the Angels wouldn't allow the game to end without a valiant comeback. Down 9-6 in the ninth, Howie Kendrick knocked in a pair with a single to right field, then stole second to put the tying run in scoring position with two out. But A's closer Ryan Cook got Erik Aybar to ground out to end the ballgame, and the A's hung on 9-8.

With their win, the A's are now 60-51 and are temporarily in sole possession of the second wild card spot in the AL.

Posted in: Dan Straily,Los Angeles Angels,Oakland Athletics,Yoenis Cespedes,Zach Greinke