Donovan Walton hit a three-run homer and rookie Henry Bolte recorded the first four-hit game of his career as the Athletics beat the Los Angeles Angels 7-3 on Wednesday night.
Walton’s first-inning homer helped the Athletics build an early four-run lead, while Bolte went 4-for-5 with two runs and an RBI double. Los Angeles responded with back-to-back homers from Mike Trout and Vaughn Grissom, but could not complete the comeback.
The Angels fell to 60-98 and moved closer to the possibility of the first 100-loss season in franchise history. The Athletics improved to 63-95.
Athletics Score Four in First
The Athletics immediately put pressure on Angels rookie Walbert Ureña.
Lawrence Butler delivered an RBI single to open the scoring before Walton came to the plate with two outs and two runners aboard.
Walton drove a pitch from Ureña over the fence for a three-run homer. His ninth home run of the season gave the Athletics a 4-0 advantage before the Angels had a chance to settle into the game.
It was an unusually difficult opening inning for Ureña, who had pitched effectively in his previous three starts.
The right-hander had allowed only five runs over 21 innings during that stretch. The Athletics nearly matched that total within the first two innings on Wednesday.
Bolte continued the early attack in the second.
Bolte Records Career-High Four Hits
The Athletics rookie collected four hits for the first time in his major league career.
Bolte doubled home a run in the second inning, extending the lead to 5-0.
The extra-base hit was part of a 4-for-5 performance. Bolte also scored twice and remained involved in the offense later in the game.
His production helped the Athletics build enough separation to withstand an Angels rally in the middle innings.
Los Angeles did not score through the first three frames against Jeffrey Springs.
That changed quickly in the fourth.
Trout, Grissom Hit Back-to-Back Homers
Trout led the Angels’ response with another career milestone.
The veteran outfielder homered off Springs in the fourth inning, cutting into the five-run deficit.
The home run was Trout’s 22nd of the season and the 426th of his career.
Grissom immediately followed with a homer of his own.
His 13th home run made it 5-2 and gave the Angels consecutive homers against Springs.
Los Angeles continued to apply pressure an inning later.
Grissom delivered again in the fifth with an RBI single, trimming the Athletics’ advantage to 5-3.
The hit also ended Springs’ outing.
Springs allowed three runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings. He had opened the season 3-0 through his first four starts before going 1-14 over his final 25.
The Angels had reduced a five-run deficit to two and forced the Athletics into their bullpen.
Athletics Bullpen Stops Comeback
Geoff Hartlieb took over and prevented Los Angeles from extending its rally.
Hartlieb recorded five outs and eventually earned the win, improving to 2-1.
The Athletics then created additional separation in the bottom of the sixth.
Alika Williams singled off José Fermin, and Bolte followed with another single.
Shea Langeliers brought both runners home with a double.
The two-run hit restored Oakland’s four-run advantage at 7-3 and accounted for the final runs of the night.
The Angels could not mount another comeback against the Athletics bullpen.
Elvis Alvarado handled the ninth inning and struck out two while closing out the win.
Ureña Endures Difficult Start
Ureña entered Wednesday after a productive stretch but could not continue it against the Athletics.
The rookie allowed five runs on seven hits over four innings and fell to 9-11.
Most of the damage came immediately.
Butler’s RBI single and Walton’s three-run homer created a 4-0 deficit in the first. Bolte’s RBI double in the second made it five runs before Ureña held the Athletics scoreless over his final two innings.
The performance contrasted sharply with his previous three outings.
Ureña had surrendered only five runs over 21 innings during that span. He allowed the same number on Wednesday in four frames.
Los Angeles remained within two runs after Grissom’s fifth-inning single, but Langeliers’ two-run double against Fermin gave the Athletics breathing room.
Angels Face 100-Loss Possibility
The defeat dropped Los Angeles to 60-98 with four games remaining in the regular season.
The Angels are attempting to avoid the first 100-loss season in franchise history.
Their remaining schedule leaves little margin for error.
Los Angeles must win at least three of its final four games to finish with fewer than 100 losses.
The Angels showed some offensive life on Wednesday after falling behind 5-0.
Trout and Grissom provided consecutive home runs in the fourth, and Grissom added another RBI in the fifth. Those three runs brought Los Angeles back into the game.
The offense did not score again.
Bolte and Williams started the Athletics’ sixth-inning rally before Langeliers drove both home, restoring a comfortable lead.
The Athletics also had an injury concern during the game.
Catcher Brian Serven fouled a bunt off his left eye in the sixth inning and had to leave.
Bolte, Walton Power Athletics
Bolte’s four-hit performance highlighted a productive night for the Athletics lineup.
Walton supplied the biggest early swing with his three-run homer, while Butler, Bolte, and Langeliers also drove in runs.
Bolte’s RBI double gave the Athletics a five-run cushion in the second, and his sixth-inning single helped create the final scoring opportunity.
The rookie finished with four hits in five at-bats and crossed the plate twice.
For Los Angeles, Grissom accounted for two of the team’s three runs batted in and homered immediately after Trout.
The Angels now head into the final four games of the season needing a strong finish to stay below 100 losses.
Up Next
The Angels travel to Seattle to begin their final series of the regular season on Thursday.
Right-hander Grayson Rodriguez is scheduled to start the opener against the Mariners. He enters with a 4-8 record and a 5.96 ERA.
The Athletics begin a four-game home series against Houston on Thursday. They had not announced their starting pitcher for the opener.
