OAKLAND, Calif. — Angels rookie right-hander Jack Kochanowicz was shelled for seven earned runs in four innings in his second career start Saturday, allowing the Oakland Athletics to take an 8-2 victory at the Oakland Coliseum.
It marked the second consecutive day the A's (39-61) chased an Angels (41-57) starter in four innings or less.
The Angels left eight runners on base and went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. The A’s didn’t waste any time taking control of Kochanowicz (0-2, 14.14 ERA) as designated hitter Brent Rooker hit a 445-foot, three-run home run.
“I thought it was an improved outing, obviously not exactly what I wanted,” Kochanowicz said. “Obviously never trying to give in, but just with my aggression and my conviction with everything, it’s going to be a little better.”
Rooker’s blast came from a down-and-inside sinker from Kochanowicz, a pitch that Angels manager Ron Washington emphasized pregame. Although Kochanowicz brought the sinker down — as Washington had wished for — Rooker turned on it for his 22nd homer of the season.
“[Kochanowicz] is growing,” said Washington postgame. “He just lost his command.”
The A’s added three more runs in the fourth inning thanks to right fielder Lawrence Butler, who smacked a bases-clearing double that put the game out of reach. Butler’s three-hit performance moved him to eight hits in his last three games combined.
Los Angeles didn’t have much of an answer for Oakland rookie starter Mitch Spence (6-6, 4.67 ERA), who gave up just two runs in 5⅔ innings. Spence only struck out three Angels but was able to force the team to hit many ground balls.
The Athletics’ bullpen allowed just one hit and prevented any thought of an Angels comeback.
Shortstop Zach Neto’s sixth-inning double was the Angels’ lone RBI hit. Los Angeles' first four hitters went a combined 1-for-13.
“We couldn’t stop [the A’s] offense, and they pitched and stopped our offense,” Washington said. “Every opportunity we got, we got the minimal damage done.”
First baseman Nolan Schanuel exited the game in the third inning with reported left calf tightness. He was replaced by Brandon Drury.
“Schanuel is fine, he’s had a little cramp, and I didn’t want it to get any worse,” Washington said. “He’s day-to-day.”
Los Angeles’ bright spot was left-handed reliever Kenny Rosenberg (0-0, 6.30 ERA), who pitched four innings of one-run ball with three strikeouts, allowing the team to preserve its bullpen arms for the series finale. While he gave up four hits, he quieted Oakland’s bats following its early offensive surge.
With the win, the Athletics officially took the series.
On Sunday, Angels right-hander Carson Fulmer (0-2, 3.45 ERA) will face A's right-hander Joey Estes (4-4, 5.29 ERA). Fulmer has allowed two earned runs in his last six appearances, while Estes has allowed two runs or less in four of his last five starts. The first pitch will be at 1:07 p.m. as Oakland aims for the sweep.
