Rookie Luis Morales pitched five solid innings, while Brent Rooker and Colby Thomas homered to lead the Oakland Athletics to a 7-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday night.
Making his second career start and third big-league appearance, Morales (1-0) struck out five and gave up just one run on three hits with two walks. Since being called up on August 1, the 22-year-old has allowed only two runs across 9 2/3 innings.
Thomas put Oakland ahead early with a two-run shot in the first inning, his third homer of the season. Darell Hernaiz extended the lead in the third with a two-run single, and Rooker added a solo blast in the fifth, his 23rd of the year.
In the eighth, Brett Harris and Rooker drove in runs with RBI singles to put the game out of reach. Sean Newcomb finished things off with 1 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out three for his first save of the season.
For Los Angeles, Nolan Schanuel collected three hits, but starter Tyler Anderson (2-8) struggled with control, walking five while allowing four runs in just three innings. The Angels have now dropped six of their last 10 games, while the A’s have won six in that same stretch.
Key Moment:
Morales loaded the bases with two outs in the first inning but escaped without damage. From there, he allowed only one more Angels runner to reach scoring position during his outing.
Key Stat:
The Athletics have scored 90 first-inning runs this season — the most in MLB, five ahead of second-place Boston.
Up Next:
The series concludes Sunday with Angels right-hander José Soriano (8-9, 3.84 ERA) set to face A’s lefty Jeffrey Springs (10-8, 4.08 ERA).
