Brent Rooker belted a three-run homer, Lawrence Butler cleared the bases with a three-RBI double and the Oakland Athletics continued their recent offensive rampage with an 8-2 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Angels on Saturday afternoon. Mitch Spence (6-6) combined with three relievers on a six-hitter, helping the A's run their winning streak to three straight while taking a fifth in a row at home over their Southern California rivals this season. Having scored a total of 31 runs in their previous two games, the A's needed just four batters to add three more when Miguel Andujar singled and JJ Bleday doubled with one out in the first, setting the stage for Rooker's 22nd homer of the season. The Angels cut their deficit in half on an Anthony Rendon sacrifice fly in the third, before the A's ended right-hander Jack Kochanowicz's day with a four-run fourth. Butler's double to right field capped the uprising, which also featured singles by Rooker and Kyle McCann, and walks to Brett Harris and Max Schuemann, the latter forcing in a run. Making his second big-league start, Kochanowicz (0-2) allowed seven runs and seven hits in four innings. He walked three and struck out four. Spence pitched into the sixth before leaving after a double by Zach Neto got the Angels within 7-2 and put runners at second and third with just one out. But Scott Alexander came on to retire both batters he faced, retaining the five-run cushion. Spence was charged with two runs on five hits in his 5 1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out three. Alexander, Austin Adams and Tyler Ferguson wrapped up the win with 3 2/3 innings of one-hit, shutout ball. Rooker finished with two hits and two runs to go with his three RBIs for the A's, who totaled 11 hits. Butler and Andujar had three hits apiece, while Schuemann scored twice. Jo Adell went 2-for-3 and scored a run for the Angels, who had finished the first half with three straight wins. -Field Level Media
Jul 20, 2024; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics designated hitter Brent Rooker (25) connects for a single against the Los Angeles Angels during the fourth inning at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports