Angels 2, Athletics 0
Angels 2, Athletics 0: C.J. Wilson came within two outs of his second career shutout and Alberto Callaspo belted a solo home run as host Los Angeles clinched a series win over American League West-leading Oakland.
Josh Hamilton lifted a sacrifice fly while Albert Pujols and Howie Kendrick had two hits apiece for the Angels, who climbed within nine games of the division-rival Athletics.
Wilson (10-6) yielded three hits with two walks and eight strikeouts in 8 1/3 innings as he improved to 6-1 over his last seven starts. The veteran left-hander allowed a one-out single by Jed Lowrie in the ninth before giving way to Ernesto Frieri, who struck out two of the three batters he faced for his career-high 24th save.
Hamilton gave Wilson all the offensive support he needed in the first inning with a sacrifice fly that plated Mike Trout, who was hit by a pitch before advancing to third on a single by Pujols. Callaspo doubled the advantage by leading off the seventh with a blast to right field off Dan Straily (6-3), who surrendered two runs and eight hits over seven frames in losing for the first time in six decisions.
Lowrie recorded two of the three hits by Oakland, which has lost four of six but maintained its two-game division lead over Texas. The Athletics look to avoid being swept on Sunday.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Straily, who was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento earlier in the day, has allowed two runs or fewer in eight of his last 10 starts. ... Home Run Derby champion Yoenis Cespedes missed his second straight game for Oakland with a sore left wrist. ... Frieri recorded 23 saves for the Angels last season, his first as a closer.