Angels 5, Athletics 4
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- David Murphy's pinch-hit line-drive single to left field in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted Los Angeles to a 5-4 win over the Oakland A's on Monday night at Angel Stadium, giving the Angels their sixth win in a row.
Angels first baseman C.J. Cron, who had three hits in the game, got the rally started in the ninth with a single to center off A's reliever Edward Mujica. Third baseman David Freese followed with a dribbler up the third-base line. Mujica fielded the ball cleanly but his throw hit Freese in the back for an error, pinch runner Collin Cowgill going to third and Freese taking second on the play.
After an intentional walk to left fielder Shane Victorino, A's manager Bob Melvin brought in lefty Fernando Abad to face Murphy.
Trevor Gott (4-2), one of four Angels relievers, earned the win over Mujica (3-5).
With the win, the Angels remained a half-game behind the Houston Astros for the American League's second wild-card spot. But while the Astros won, the Texas Rangers lost, allowing both the Astros and Angels to move closer to the AL West division leader. The Astros are 1 1/2 games out; the Angels are two games out.
Down 3-2 in the top of the sixth, Oakland scored twice to take a 4-3 lead and knock Angels starter Hector Santiago out of the game.
But the Angels got even in the bottom of the inning on a solo homer by designated hitter Albert Pujols, his 38th of the season. It also was his 90th RBI of the season, Pujols joining Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Alex Rodriguez as the only players in major league history to have at least 14 90-RBI seasons.
Angels starter Hector Santiago found himself in trouble early, as the A's loaded the bases with one out in the first inning. Santiago, though, very much should have escaped unscathed.
Designated hitter Billy Butler hit a fly ball to center fielder Mike Trout for the second out of the inning. Oakland center fielder Billy Burns tagged from third and tried to score, but the throw beat him home by so much, he retreated toward third.
Catcher Chris Iannetta threw to third baseman David Freese, who dropped the ball as Burns turned around and raced for home. Shortstop Erick Aybar, though, backed up the play and threw home in plenty of time to get Burns. But first baseman C.J. Cron, who was covering the plate, dropped the ball for an error, allowing Burns to score for a 1-0 A's lead.
Oakland starter Felix Doubront got through the first two innings without a problem, but walked the No. 8 hitter, Iannetta, to start the third inning. Second baseman Johnny Giavotella followed with a drive to the fence in right-center, and when the center fielder Burns mishandled the carom off the wall for an error, Iannetta scored and Giavotella went to third.
Aybar then doubled home Giavotella for the second run of the inning and a 2-1 Angels lead.
The A's got even at 2-2 in the top of the fourth on a two-out, solo homer by shortstop Marcus Semien, but the Angels regained the lead at 3-2 in the bottom of the inning on a sacrifice fly by Iannetta.
NOTES: The Angels signed RHP Mat Latos to a major league contract and activated him for the game. Latos, who was designated for assignment last week by the Dodgers, helps give the Angels some much-needed pitching depth because of injuries to both starters and relievers. Latos, 4-10 with a 4.95 ERA in 22 games (21 starts) combined with the Marlins and Dodgers this year, could serve as a long reliever or spot starter. He would not be eligible for the playoffs. ... A's RHP Sonny Gray, originally scheduled to start Wednesday, instead was scratched and will not pitch again this season. Gray, who left the game in his start last Friday because of tightness in his left hip, went 14-7 with a 2.73 ERA and will be replaced by LHP Barry Zito. ... Angels CF Mike Trout entered the game without an error all season, covering 411 total chances. ... The A's began the night 28-51 in games decided by two runs or fewer, the worst in the majors.