A's Score 7 In 7th To Beat Angels; Trout Hits 45th Homer
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Robbie Grossman hit a two-run triple over the head of center fielder Mike Trout as part of a seven-run eighth inning when the Athletics benefited from four consecutive walks, and Oakland rallied to beat the Los Angeles Angels 10-6 on Thursday to complete a three-game sweep.
The A's trailed 6-1 and had only four hits before batting around in the seventh, when the Angels used five pitchers.
Josh Phegley started the comeback with a two-run home run off José Suarez. Ty Buttrey (6-7) came on and allowed Marcus Semien's single, followed by walks to Matt Chapman, Matt Olson and Mark Canha to force in a run. Jurickson Profar walked in another run, and Khris Davis added an RBI groundout.
Grossman, who flied out leading off the inning, followed with a first-pitch triple off Adalberto Mejía that sailed past Trout's outstretched glove as he jumped for the ball near the fence.
Profar drove in three runs and Semien had four hits for Oakland.
The A's moved a game ahead of Cleveland for the second AL Wild card. The Indians lost 7-1 to the Chicago White Sox earlier Thursday.
Trout hit 45th home run to tie for the major league lead. The towering, two-run drive off Brett Anderson landed high in the seats in left-center and was estimated at 455 feet. Pete Alonso of the New York Mets also has 45 homers.
A.J. Puk (1-0) retired six batters for his first career win. Puk, one of Oakland's top pitching prospects, had not pitched since Aug. 26.
WINNING STREAK ON THE LINE
The A's had a 10-game winning streak in mid-May, their longest undefeated run since 2006, but that could change on Friday. Oakland will resume a game against the Tigers from the middle of that streak that was suspended on May 19 at Detroit.
Oakland leads 5-3 in the bottom of the seventh, and the game will resume Friday at the Oakland Coliseum before a regularly scheduled night game. If the A's hold on, the winning streak will go to 11 games. If the Tigers rally, Oakland's streak will only be considered a seven-gamer.
GOING WITH SIX
The A's will be using what manager Bob Melvin calls a "fluid" six-man rotation for the next few weeks. Sean Manaea, who pitched five scoreless innings against the New York Yankees in his season debut Sept. 1, will make his next start Sunday against Detroit.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Angels: Tommy LaStella took batting practice before the game, a significant step in his recovery from a broken right leg although manager Brad Ausmus said LaStella's leg is still not fully healed. ... Slumping DH Shohei Ohtani was rested.
Athletics: Yusmeiro Petit has left the team and flown to Venezuela for personal reasons and it's uncertain when the versatile reliever will be back. Petit leads the AL in appearances (71) and fewest walks per nine innings (0.86). The San Francisco Chronicle first reported Petit's absence. ... CF Ramon Laureano (right lower leg stress reaction) is expected to come off the injured list and play in the second of Friday's two games against Detroit. ... Stephen Piscotty (sprained right ankle) is still using a walking boot.
UP NEXT
Angels: LHP Dillon Peters (3-2, 4.13 ERA) faces the Chicago White Sox for the first time in his career Friday night. Peters has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 11 of his 12 outings this season.
Athletics: RHP Homer Bailey (12-8, 4.96) takes a three-game winning streak into Friday's start against Detroit. Bailey is unbeaten in nine starts against teams from the AL Central.
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