JJ Bleday crushed a three-run homer to highlight a seven-run third inning, and Mason Barnett settled down after a rough start as the Oakland Athletics beat the Los Angeles Angels 10-4 on Friday night.
Barnett (1-1) endured a nightmare first inning, hitting a batter and issuing three walks — two with the bases loaded — to put Oakland in a 4-0 hole. But the 24-year-old rookie rebounded, allowing just one hit over the next four innings while striking out eight to earn his first career win in his second big league start.
On the other side, Angels right-hander José Soriano (10-10) had his hot streak snapped. After throwing 12 2/3 scoreless innings across his previous two starts, he was tagged for eight runs on six hits in just 2 1/3 innings, striking out five but walking four.
The Athletics flipped the game in the third. Shea Langeliers and Tyler Soderstrom singled, Jacob Wilson walked to load the bases, and Lawrence Butler delivered an infield RBI single. Zack Gelof tied it with another RBI hit before a wild pitch gave Oakland a 5-4 lead. Moments later, Bleday drilled an opposite-field three-run homer to extend the advantage to 8-4. Brent Rooker was later hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to complete the outburst.
Oakland’s bullpen sealed the win with four hitless innings from Justin Sterner, Elvis Alvarado, and Michael Kelly. Butler capped his big night with a solo homer in the ninth, finishing 3-for-5.
José Ureña was a bright spot for the Angels, striking out six and allowing only two hits across five shutout innings in relief.
Key Moment:
Bleday’s three-run homer off Soriano turned a slim 5-4 lead into a commanding 8-4 cushion in the third inning.
Key Stat:
The first inning lasted 30 minutes as Soriano and Barnett combined for 63 pitches, six walks, a hit batter, and six total runs.
Up Next:
The series continues Saturday with Oakland’s J.T. Ginn (2-6, 5.17 ERA) facing Los Angeles lefty Yusei Kikuchi (6-10, 3.83 ERA).
