A's rally in ninth to beat Angels
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Billy Burns hit a walk-off single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, lifting the Oakland A's to a 3-2 victory against the Los Angeles Angels at the Oakland Coliseum on Friday night.
A's shortstop Marcus Semien worked a two-out walk off Angels right-hander Fernando Salas in the bottom of the ninth and went to third on Jake Smolinski's single to right. Then Burns grounded the first pitch he saw to left field, driving in Semien with his first career walk-off hit.
The A's led 2-1 going into the top of the ninth inning, but the Angels pushed across a run to pull even.
Jefry Marte had an infield single off closer Ryan Madson (3-2) with one out. Then Daniel Nava lined into what appeared to be a game-ending double play as Smolinski made a diving catch in right field then doubled off pinch runner Todd Cunningham at first base.
But after a video review, which clearly showed that the ball hit the grass before going into Smolinski's glove, the call was overturned. Cunningham went to third with pinch runner Shane Robinson at first. Johnny Giavotella brought Cunningham with a sacrifice fly to right.
Kendall Graveman pitched seventh strong innings, and Khris Davis hit his 16th home run of the season for the A's.
Graveman gave up one run on a season-low tying three hits over a season-high seven innings but got a no-decision. He struck out four and walked one. He's 0-1 in four career starts against the Angels, including a 1-0 loss last year in his only major-league complete game.
Angels right-hander Matt Shoemaker allowed two runs, only one of them earned, and six hits over six innings and got a no-decision. He struck out seven and walked one. Over his past six starts he has 55 strikeouts and two walks while allowing nine earned runs.
Davis went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in the fourth inning that gave Oakland a 2-1 lead. Danny Valencia went 2-for-4 with a double and scored a run, while Alonso Yonder went 2-for-3 with a sacrifice fly.
Kole Calhoun hit a solo home run in the third inning, his ninth blast of the year, for the Angels.
The A's struck first, taking a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Valencia launched a leadoff double off the out-of-town scoreboard in right, barely missing a home run.
Davis followed with an infield single, and Valencia went to third on shortstop Andrelton Simmons throwing error. Yonder Alonso hit a sacrifice fly to deep right-center with one out, bringing Valencia home.
The Angels pulled even on Calhoun's home run with one out in the third. Graveman hung a 1-1 slider, and Calhoun sent it over the right-center field fence.
Oakland regained the lead at 2-1 in the fourth inning on Davis' blast that easily cleared the center field fall, just left of the 400-foot sign.
NOTES: Angels RHP Tim Lincecum worked out with his new teammates Friday in Oakland and will be activated from Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday and make his first major league start in nearly a year. ... The Angels activated LF Daniel Nava (left groin strain) from the 15-day disabled list, and he started against the A's. RHP Al Alburquerque was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move. ... A's RF Josh Reddick (fractured left thumb) took batting practice on the field Friday and will again on Saturday. If all goes well, Reddick will begin a rehab assignment Sunday with Triple-A Nashville, A's manager Bob Melvin said. Melvin said Reddick will probably play five or six rehab games before being activated. ... A's LHP Sean Manaea (left pronator strain) played catch from as far as 90 feet. Melvin said that's an encouraging sign that Manaea might be able to be activated on June 29, the first day he's eligible. ... A's LHP Rich Hill (left groin strain) threw a 10-pitch bullpen session Friday. Hill suffered a setback the last time he threw off the mound, and Melvin said the A's will "take it a little slower" this time.