April 26, 2017

Matt Shoemaker pitched 5 solid innings for the Angels on the way to his first victory of the season, and the Halos defeated the A’s 8-5 on Wednesday night at the Big A.

“Wins are always great, but the satisfaction is that we won,” Shoemaker said. “It was a tight game up to that point. Just had to battle to get through five. Winning after that, that was the great thing right there.”

Bud Norris pitched a scoreless 9th inning to earn his 3rd save of the season.

Sean Manaea (1-2) got through just two innings before taking the loss.  He allowing three runs before his night ended after only 34 pitches because of left shoulder tightness.  Manaea retired the first three batters he faced, then allowed three runs on four hits in the second inning.

The Angels fell behind 2-0 in the 1st inning on a 2-run single from Yonder Alonso.  However, a Danny Espinosa double, a Cameron Maybin RBI single, and an RBI double from Martin Maldonado put the Angels back in front 3-2.  The Halos would tack on one more in the 5th when Albert Pujols delivered an RBI single to right, scoring Mike Trout.

A solo shot in the 6th inning by Yonder Alonso made it 4-3, however, the Angels produced a 4-run 7th inning to put the game out of reach.  Former Angel Matt Joyce hit a 2-run homer in the 8th inning, but it wasn’t enough.

The Angels improved to 11-12 on the season.  They’ll try to even their record at .500 on Thursday night at the Big A.  Ricky Nolasco (1-2, 4.76 ERA) will oppose the Athletics’ Kendall Graveman (2-0, 2.00 ERA).