Batters and Pitchers take Los Angeles Angels over Oakland Athletics 4-1: MLB Update
The Los Angeles Angels’ starter Ervin Santana had an economical spell with ball, Torii hunter and Alberto Callaspo launched a homer, as the Club conquered the League rivals Oakland Athletics 4-1 in the third outing of the four-game home series, at the Angel
Stadium, on Wednesday night, May 25.
Santana’s strong first innings, in which he struck out one without allowing any hit, gave the Angels a confident start. The 28-year-old hurler, who has not allowed a run in his last 12 innings, held the opposition score-less in his first four innings.
After fifteen consecutive score-less innings dated back to previous two games including his sixth career shutout on May 20, the right-hand pitcher yielded his first run to A’s Coco Crisp for a 1-1 game tier run. Overall, Santana threw six innings, allowed
six hits, walked two and struck out six batters to earn his third win of the series.
"I was usually behind in the count, and I worked real hard to get the win," Santana said. "It was a little difficult because I got in a lot of 3-2 counts -- too many foul ball, foul ball, foul ball. ... You are talking about one of the best sinker ballers
in the game in Cahill. He didn't have his 'A' game, but it's very exciting to beat him in a game like tonight."
The A’s starter Trevor Cahill, who has allowed an early run to Peter Bourjos in the second inning, bounced back effectively and two no-score innings. In the bottom of the fifth though, the right-hand ball thrower went wrong and yielded three costly runs.
He gave two one-run homers, one each to Torii and Callaspo, and an RBI single to Bourjos.
Despite putting his team under heavy pressure, Cahill received appreciative words from Hunter.
Hunter said, "Cahill is one of the best pitchers in the American League right now, and for us to come in and drive the ball and hit holes are good. He made some mistakes, and he does not make many. You have to show some power, because some pitchers can get
comfortable if it always takes three or four hits to get a run."
Getting 4-1 lead in the fifth inning, the Angels’ relievers acted as per the expectations of the Manager, Mike Scioscia. Fernando Rodney, Scott Downs, and closer Jordan Walden each remained scoreless in their one inning spell to cement the Angels 26th win
of the season.
The A’s closer, David Purcey, threw striking last two innings, but was helpless to take the game back into the A’s side. He struck-out one batter without allowing any hit on 21 pitches he tossed.
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