Carlos Cortes and Zack Gelof hit two-run homers in the eighth inning as the Athletics erased a six-run deficit and rallied for a 9-7 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night.
Cortes came off the bench and drove in three runs, while Gelof provided another key blow during the decisive eighth. The Athletics overcame a 6-0 deficit after the Angels had controlled the first six innings behind Denzer Guzman’s four RBIs.
Los Angeles finished with 15 hits but could not protect its lead. The Athletics collected 14 hits and clinched the season series with one game remaining between the two AL West teams.
Guzman Powers Angels to Early Lead
The Angels built their advantage behind another productive performance from Guzman at Sutter Health Park.
Guzman drove in four early runs, including three with one swing in the third inning against Athletics starter Brady Basso.
His three-run homer helped Los Angeles establish control and continued his success at the ballpark.
Guzman has now homered in four consecutive games at Sutter Health Park.
The Angels continued adding to their lead as Mike Trout and Vaughn Grissom contributed to a steady offensive attack.
Both finished with three hits.
Grissom eventually delivered his second RBI single of the game in the sixth, extending the Los Angeles lead to 6-0.
At that stage, the Angels had built what appeared to be a comfortable advantage.
The Athletics responded almost immediately.
Athletics Start Comeback in Sixth
Lawrence Butler began the comeback in the bottom of the sixth.
Shea Langeliers reached base before Butler drove an RBI triple that brought him home and put the Athletics on the scoreboard.
Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi left during the inning after allowing two runs and seven hits over 5 1/3 innings.
The Athletics had finally created some momentum after spending most of the night chasing a large deficit.
Their offense carried that momentum into the seventh.
Langeliers delivered a run-scoring single as the Athletics continued to cut into the lead.
Cortes then entered as a pinch hitter and made an immediate impact.
He produced an RBI triple, giving the Athletics another run and putting himself in position to score.
Jeff McNeil later drew a bases-loaded walk.
By the end of the inning, Los Angeles’ six-run advantage had nearly disappeared.
The Athletics trailed only 6-5 after scoring repeatedly in the sixth and seventh.
Cortes Gives Athletics the Lead
Cortes returned to the plate in the eighth with the Athletics still searching for their first lead of the night.
This time, he delivered the decisive swing.
Facing Sam Bachman, Cortes drove a pitch to right-center for a two-run homer.
The shot turned a one-run deficit into a 7-6 Athletics lead.
Cortes had entered the game as a pinch hitter only one inning earlier. He finished 2-for-2 with a triple, a homer, three RBIs, and two runs scored.
His home run completed the Athletics’ comeback from the 6-0 deficit.
They were not finished.
Gelof Adds Two-Run Homer
Gelof added another two-run homer later in the eighth.
The blast extended the Athletics’ advantage to 9-6 and gave their bullpen additional protection for the ninth.
The two home runs transformed the game in a matter of minutes.
Los Angeles had led by six runs in the sixth inning. By the end of the eighth, the Angels trailed by three.
Bachman took the loss and fell to 1-3.
Luis Medina worked a scoreless inning for the Athletics and earned the win, improving to 6-3.
The late rally also rewarded an Athletics lineup that received three hits apiece from Langeliers and Butler.
Angels Make Final Push
Los Angeles still had an opportunity in the ninth.
The Angels scored once against Hogan Harris and brought the potential tying run into the late stages of the inning.
Harris had to work through the pressure after the Athletics’ bullpen inherited a three-run cushion.
The Angels put two runners aboard and sent pinch-hitter Oswald Peraza to the plate.
Harris responded with a strikeout.
The final out preserved the 9-7 win and gave Harris his 16th save of the season.
Despite collecting 15 hits, Los Angeles finished two runs short after failing to protect its early advantage.
Athletics Erase Six-Run Deficit
The comeback unfolded over three innings after the Angels had controlled most of the game.
Los Angeles carried a 6-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth.
Butler’s RBI triple helped start the response. The Athletics then continued to close the gap during a productive seventh inning.
Langeliers drove in a run, Cortes contributed his pinch-hit triple, and McNeil drew a bases-loaded walk.
That reduced the Angels’ advantage to one run.
Cortes then changed the lead with his eighth-inning homer before Gelof added insurance with another two-run shot.
The Athletics scored nine runs after falling behind 6-0.
Cortes played the central role despite not entering the game until the .
His two extra-base hits produced three RBIs and helped turn the game completely in the Athletics’ favor.
Angels Waste 15-Hit Performance
The loss overshadowed several strong offensive performances for Los Angeles.
Guzman drove in four runs and continued his power surge at Sutter Health Park.
Trout and Grissom each finished with three hits, while Grissom drove in two runs with a pair of RBI singles.
The Angels generated 15 hits overall and built a six-run advantage.
It was not enough.
Kikuchi allowed two runs over 5 1/3 innings before the Athletics attacked the Los Angeles bullpen.
The lead shrank from six runs to one before the end of the seventh. Two eighth-inning homers then completed the turnaround.
The result gave the Athletics the season series with one matchup still remaining between the clubs.
Up Next
The Angels and Athletics conclude their series Wednesday night in West Sacramento.
Right-hander Walbert Urena is scheduled to start for Los Angeles. He enters with a 9-10 record and a 2.74 ERA.
The Athletics will counter with left-hander Jeffrey Springs, who is 4-14 with a 6.18 ERA.
