Nick Kurtz drove in five runs and the Athletics overwhelmed the Los Angeles Angels 14-6 on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium, using timely hitting and another damaging inning against an Angels pitching staff that continues to struggle.
The Athletics collected 15 hits and scored 12 of their 14 runs with two outs. Zack Gelof and Brent Rooker each homered and drove in three runs as the AL West leaders snapped a three-game losing streak in convincing fashion.
The Angels briefly climbed back into the game after falling behind early, but the Athletics quickly regained control and pulled away over the final innings. Los Angeles has now lost 22 of its last 28 games after an 11-10 start to the season.
Nick Kurtz once again played a central role in the Athletics’ offense. The reigning American League Rookie of the Year finished with three hits and extended his on-base streak to 42 games, one of the longest active streaks in baseball.
Athletics Explode In Third Inning
The game shifted quickly during a six-run third inning that erased an otherwise solid start from Angels left-hander Reid Detmers.
Detmers retired the first seven batters he faced and struck out five during that stretch. He looked sharp early and appeared ready to deliver one of his best outings of the season.
The Athletics changed everything once Jeff McNeil and Darrell Hernaiz reached base.
After Shea Langeliers flew out, Kurtz lined an RBI single to center field to open the scoring. Colby Thomas followed with a two-run double before Rooker added an RBI single. Henry Bolte drove a ground-rule double into the gap, and Gelof capped the rally with a two-run single that pushed the lead to 6-0.
The inning exposed the Angels’ ongoing inability to stop rallies once opponents gain momentum.
Every major hit in the inning came with two outs.
Trout Provides Brief Spark
Mike Trout tried to bring the Angels back into the game during the bottom half of the third inning.
The veteran center fielder opened the inning with his 12th home run of the season, a solo shot that also marked the 43rd homer of his career against the Athletics. The blast tied him with Rafael Palmeiro and Alex Rodriguez for the most home runs against the franchise since it moved to California in 1968.
Trout also scored his 600th career run at Angel Stadium, another franchise milestone in a career filled with offensive achievements.
The Angels built additional momentum in the fourth inning.
A bases-loaded walk from Trout forced in a run before Vaughn Grissom lined a two-run single that cut the deficit to 6-4 and chased Athletics starter Jacob Lopez from the game.
For a moment, the Angels appeared capable of mounting a full comeback.
Reliever Justin Sterner prevented that from happening.
Sterner Stops Angels Rally
Sterner entered during the fourth inning with runners at first and third and two outs. The Angels had a chance to pull even or take the lead.
Instead, Sterner got Jorge Soler to fly out and immediately halted the rally.
That sequence proved critical.
The Athletics regained control shortly afterward and steadily separated themselves over the remaining innings. Sterner later earned the win after stabilizing the game for Oakland’s bullpen.
The Angels never seriously threatened again after the fourth.
Kurtz Leads Late Offensive Surge
Kurtz continued his dominant night as the Athletics added insurance runs throughout the middle and late innings.
He drove in two more runs with a single during the sixth inning before delivering a two-run double during a four-run eighth.
Gelof added a solo homer in the seventh inning, and Rooker crushed a two-run shot in the eighth as the Athletics turned a competitive game into a rout.
Oakland repeatedly capitalized on mistakes with runners in scoring position. The club consistently delivered with two outs while the Angels failed to contain innings once traffic developed on the bases.
The Athletics have relied heavily on timely hitting throughout the season, and Tuesday’s game followed that pattern again.
Detmers Continues Difficult Stretch
Detmers absorbed another difficult outing in a season that continues moving in the wrong direction.
The left-hander allowed eight runs and eight hits across 5 2/3 innings. While his early command looked sharp, he struggled once the Athletics lineup turned over for a second time.
Detmers entered the night searching for consistency after several uneven starts. Instead, the outing raised more questions about the Angels’ rotation depth and overall pitching stability.
The Angels bullpen also struggled to slow the Athletics late in the game as Oakland added eight runs across the final four innings.
Los Angeles continues to search for answers on the mound while losses continue piling up.
Athletics Regain Momentum
The victory helped the Athletics end a brief three-game skid and maintain their position atop the American League West standings.
Kurtz again showed why he remains one of the league’s most dangerous young hitters. Rooker and Gelof added needed power production, while the bullpen stabilized the game after Lopez exited early.
The Athletics also continued showing an ability to generate offense late in counts and under pressure. Their two-out hitting overwhelmed the Angels throughout the night.
For Los Angeles, the defeat added to a growing stretch of frustration. Defensive lapses, inconsistent pitching and missed opportunities continue to define the club’s recent slide.
Up Next
The series continues Wednesday night at Angel Stadium.
Athletics right-hander Aaron Civale is scheduled to face Angels right-hander Jack Kochanowicz in the middle game of the series.
