Wednesday's game between the Oakland Athletics and the Los Angeles Angels ended up being quite a roller coaster, but in a very good way. The A's overcame a couple deficits to hold on for a huge 9-8 win and move a game and a half ahead of the Angels in the American League West. They now hold sole possession of second place in the division and gained a game on their Southern California opponents by taking two out of three games at O.co Coliseum.
Kendrys Morales lofted a home run to right field in the top of the second, but the 1-0 lead only lasted until the bottom of the inning. The A's answered back with a two-run George Kottaras homer off of starter Zack Greinke. RBI singles from Brandon Moss and Josh Reddick quickly made it 4-1 Oakland.
Chris Iannetta cut the Oakland lead by a run when he led off the third with a homer. In the fifth inning, home runs from Torii Hunter and Morales gave the Angels a 5-4 lead.
Greinke turned the ball over to the bullpen in the bottom of the sixth and LaTroy Hawkins promptly gave up five runs on a Coco Crisp double, Yoenis Cespedes two-run single and a mammoth two-run homer from Chris Carter that put the A's back on top, 9-5.
Mark Trumbo launched his 29th home run in the seventh. The Angels were able to get two more runs in the top of the ninth with a two-out, two-run single from Howie Kendrick, but Erick Aybar grounded out to end the game.
The A's are certainly feeling great as they hit the road. They'll start a series against the Chicago White Sox on Friday.
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