The Sports Xchange
May 10, 2017
OAKLAND -- Andrew Triggs allowed three hits over six innings and Chad Pinder slugged a two-run home run, as the Oakland Athletics beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-1 Wednesday afternoon.
In a pitching-dominated contest, Pinder's shot to right off Angels starter Jesse Chavez in the fifth inning erased a 1-0 deficit. Chavez, making his first start against his former team, allowed three hits and two runs over 5 2/3 innings.
The Angels' lineup was softened by absence of sluggers Mike Trout, who sat out his fifth straight game with a tight left hamstring, and Albert Pujols, who had the day game off after a night contest.
The A's, who had their three-game winning streak snapped with a 7-3 loss to the Angels Tuesday, have won five of six after a brutal stretch in which they dropped eight of nine. They continue to ride the long ball, with 11 home runs in their last five games and 45 homers for the season.
Triggs (5-2), a 28-year-old right-hander enjoying a coming-of-age season, looked shaky at the outset. He began the game throwing seven straight balls, and had 12 balls in first 14 pitches. He loaded the bases with three straight walks, but limited the damage to a run on Jefry Marte's fielder's choice. Triggs improved to 2-0 against the Angels, in the fourth time he faced them.
A's right fielder Mark Canha had a nice comeback performance after three weeks in Triple-A, with back-to-back singles in his first two at-bats. He was back in the lineup for the first time since hip surgery ended his 2016 season.
With his strikeout in the first inning, A's slugger Khris Davis extended his club-record streak to 21 games with a strikeout by a non-pitcher. He tacked on another strikeout in the third, before he had an RBI single in the eighth.
A's catcher Bruce Maxwell left the game after the third inning for precautionary measures after taking a foul tip to the mask. Stephen Vogt replaced him.
NOTES: Reigning American League MVP and April AL Player of the Month OF Mike Trout had no setbacks during a light pregame workout under team trainer Adam Nevala, and could return on Thursday, according to manager Mike Scioscia. ... DH Luis Valbuena got the start. ... A's LHP Sean Manaea (strained left shoulder) hit 94 mph consistently in his rehab start, but may need another start before he returns ... Oakland RHP John Axford (strained right shoulder) threw live batting practice and starts his rehab assignment Saturday ... A's manager Bob Melvin looks at RHP Bobby Wahl, who has developed confidence in his breaking ball, as a potential closer ... Melvin thought OF Rajai Davis, who was reinstated on May 2 off the disabled list, reached a turning point Tuesday with two stolen bases. ... Versatile RF Mark Canha will also be used in center field. Canha hit .254 in 2015 with 16 home runs and 70 RBIs for the A's in 2015.