A's eke out win over Angels
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Joey Wendle grounded a two-run single through a drawn-in infield to give Oakland the lead in a three-run eighth inning Tuesday night, and the Athletics overcame a strong pitching performance by Ricky Nolasco to rally for a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
Coming off a four-hit shutout of the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 31, Nolasco retired the first 16 A's in order before rookie Ryon Healy grounded a single into center field with one out in the sixth inning.
Oakland didn't get any other baserunners until Nolasco walked Yonder Alonso leading off the eighth, with the Angels leading 2-0.
Billy Butler followed with a single, and after Nolasco walked Marcus Semien, he was pulled with the bases loaded.
Right-hander Mike Morin came on and allowed a bloop single to Healy that scored Alonso with Oakland's first run.
With the bases still loaded, Wendle's hard grounder eluded a backhand attempt by Angels first baseman C.J. Cron, scoring pinch runner Arismendy Alcantara and Semien to give the A's a 3-2 lead.
Morin escaped further damage, but A's closer Ryan Madson made the one-run lead hold up with a 1-2-3 ninth, striking out the final two hitters to wrap up his 28th save.
Right-hander John Axford (5-4) pitched two innings of one-hit relief to earn the win.
Nolasco (5-13) not only was seeking a second consecutive shutout but also a second straight in Oakland, having blanked the A's 3-0 on five hits for the Florida Marlins on June 29, 2011.
Acquired Aug. 1 from the Minnesota Twins, the 33-year-old was charged with all three runs in the eighth and took the loss. He finished with three runs allowed on just two hits. He walked two and struck out five.
Nolasco fell to 1-5 in seven starts for the Angels.
Starter Zach Neal kept the A's in the game for six innings, allowing two runs on four hits. He walked one and struck out five.
Healy had two hits for the A's, who won for just the second time in their last eight games.
Albert Pujols and Andrelton Simmons had two hits apiece for the Angels, who out-hit the A's 5-4.
The Angels lost for just the second time in their past 10 games and the third time in their past 10 road outings.
Neal had allowed only one hit until the Angels finally gave Nolasco a lead in the fourth.
Mike Trout drew a leadoff walk. After Pujols singled, Trout stole third, his 24th of the season, to put runners at the corners with no outs.
Neal struck out Cron, but Simmons blooped a double down the right field line, scoring Trout to put the Angels on the board.
Pujols then scored on Kaleb Cowart's sacrifice fly.
NOTES: The Angels announced before the game that RHP Matt Shoemaker, who sustained a skull fracture when hit in the head by a line drive Sunday in Seattle, was released from the hospital and is expected to fly to Los Angeles on Wednesday. He is expected to make a full recovery and pitch again next season. ... The Angels reinstated OF Shane Robinson (strained hip) from the 15-day disabled list before the game. ... With the win, the Athletics avoided being formally eliminated from title contention in the American League West. ... A's RHP Jharel Cotton, who is scheduled to make his major league debut in the series finale, joined the team Tuesday but won't be added to the active roster until Wednesday.