The Athletics made quick work of the Los Angeles Angels in the series opener and will search for another early-inning knockout punch Friday night when the teams continue their four-game set at West Sacramento, Calif.
The A’s sent 11 batters to the plate in a five-run first inning and never relinquished control in a 5-0 victory that followed a stretch in which the team lost three of four games.
Shea Langeliers hit a three-run homer in the first inning Thursday and Tyler Soderstrom followed with a solo shot. The first six batters recorded hits, and the Athletics had seven of their eight overall hits in the opening frame.
“Really unusual game from the offensive standout,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. “We came out aggressive. Obviously, we put an inning together that is probably one of our better innings this season. Then to be held to one hit the next seven innings is pretty unique.”
Langeliers took over the club leadership with 19 homers, one ahead of Nick Kurtz. Zack Gelof of the A’s went 1-for-3 with a walk to extend his career-best hitting streak to 22 games, the longest active streak in the majors.
Los Angeles had just four hits while losing for the fourth time in five games.
The Angels received a blow prior to the contest when star center fielder Mike Trout went on the 10-day injured list after sustaining a right hamstring strain while running the bases one day earlier against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Trout had played in 74 of 75 games before going on the IL as he displayed better durability than his recent injury-plagued seasons.
“He plays the game hard,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said. “He sets the example for everybody, and he’s a good role model for the youth out there.”
Trout certainly wasn’t pleased with the timing of the injury, but he downplayed any concern about it as the All-Star break nears. The All-Star Game will be July 14 in Philadelphia, located roughly 45 miles from his hometown of Millville, N.J.
“I really haven’t thought like that,” said Trout, an 11-time All-Star. “Obviously, I want to play if I get voted in, but no timeline. If I put a timeline on things, I’ve done that in the past, and it’s just frustration whether you do hit it or don’t hit it.”
Los Angeles will turn to ace right-hander Jose Soriano (8-4, 2.79 ERA) on Friday for the second contest of the four-game slate.
Soriano, 27, received a no-decision against the Athletics on May 21 when he gave up two runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings of the Angels’ 3-2 loss in 10 innings. He is 1-3 with a 7.82 ERA in nine career appearances (seven starts) against the A’s.
Langeliers (7-for-14) and Lawrence Butler (5-for-18) each have two homers off Soriano while Kurtz (3-for-12) has taken him deep once.
Soriano pitched five shutout innings of three-hit ball in an 8-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays last Saturday. He said he was bothered by leg soreness during that outing.
Left-hander Jeffrey Springs (3-7, 5.13 ERA) will take the mound for the Athletics on Friday. Springs, 33, has lost seven straight decisions and is winless over 11 starts since last prevailing on April 14 against the Texas Rangers.
He has served up 12 homers over his last six starts, including three in Sunday’s 23-9 loss to Colorado. Springs gave up eight runs (six earned) and seven hits over four innings against the Rockies.
Springs is 2-3 with a 5.23 ERA in 13 career appearances (four starts) against the Angels. Jo Adell is 3-for-9 with two homers and five strikeouts against him, while Nolan Schanuel is 3-for-5.
–Field Level Media
