Martinez Tribune The website of the Martinez Tribune.
BY DANIEL GLUSKOTER
James Kaprielian scattered five hits over six shut out innings against the Angels Tuesday afternoon, continuing his ascension towards the top of the Athletics rotation as Oakland defeated the Halos 6-0 at the Coliseum.
Kaprielian (5-3, 2.65), who came into the 2021 season with just two appearances in his major league career, struck out seven while walking only two batters to combine with three Oakland relievers for the team’s seventh shutout of the season.
James Kaprielian delivers a pitch during his six shutout inning performance against the Angels Tuesday at the Oakland Coliseum. The A’s won 6-0.
“I haven’t quite dominated the way I want to,” the pitcher said. “I had two walks today. That just can’t happen, flat out. Some of the hits I gave up were on pitches I didn’t like. I do believe I’m capable of more. I can’t really complain when I go scoreless, but you take it for what it is and continue to grow.” A’s manager Bob Melvin added, “He ends up making big pitches. We’re learning more and more about Kap as we go along.”
Matt Olson connected for his 25th home run of the season with two outs in the fourth inning to put Oakland on the board, the first baserunner against Angels starter Jose Suarez (4-3, 2.85). Olson was also in the middle of a three run rally in the fifth. After Suarez intentionally walked him to load the bases, he would eventually come around to score following a Jed Lowrie sacrifice fly and Ramon Laureano double, giving the A’s a 4-0 lead.
Matt Olson slides into home plate ahead of a throw to Angels catcher Max Stassi during the sixth inning of the A’s 6-0 win over Los Angeles Tuesday afternoon.
It was a tough two game series for the Angels as they only scored a single run in the brief series. Tuesday was also a tough day for their slugger Shohei Ohtani who struck out three times in four at bats. Ohtani was in the on deck circle when Athletics reliever Deolis Guerra struck out David Fletcher for the final out of the game.
Matt Chapman (26) and Elvis Andrus come close to colliding on an in field fly during the A’s win over the Los Angeles Angels Tuesday at the Coliseum.
The win kept the A’s 3.5 games behind the Astros in the AL West. After a day off Wednesday, Oakland returns to action Thursday night at 7:10PM in Seattle to start a ten-game west coast road trip that will also take them to San Diego and Anaheim. Sean Manaea (6-6, 3.28) is scheduled to take the mound against the Mariners Chris Flexen (9-3, 3.35) in the opener of the four-game set.
GAME NOTES:
A’s second baseman Jacob Wilson, making his first big league start, got his first major league hit after 802 games in the minors Tuesday afternoon, singling off Angels starter José Suarez to lead off the bottom of the sixth.
The Athletics entered the game prior to Tuesday’s shut out with a 3.21 ERA since May 26, the lowest in the American League and third lowest in the majors over that stretch.
Oakland finished the brief homestead with a 3-2 record. They now lead the Angels 9-3 in the season series.
