The Oakland Athletics were able to even their away series against the Los Angeles Angels at 1-1 on Tuesday night, taking advantage of a weak bullpen for a four-run eighth inning and an eventual 5-3 victory.
The A's got on the board first with a Daric Barton solo home run in the top of the fourth inning. The blast was Barton's first home run since 2010. The Angels would tie things up in the bottom of the frame, as Vernon Wells scored on a groundout.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Angels took a 2-1 lead when Torii Hunter singled home Kendrys Morales. Angels starting pitcher Dan Haren left the game in the top of the seventh inning with the lead, but the A's would pick apart the bullpen in the top of the eighth inning.
Kevin Jepsen started the eighth inning for the Angels, striking out Josh Donaldson looking before walking back-to-back batters. Coco Crisp then hit an RBI single and Josh Reddick followed that up with an RBI double to give the A's a 3-2 lead. Angels manage Mike Scioscia brought in David Carpenter to limit the damage, but the first batter he faced -- Yoenis Cespedes -- hit a single to drive in Crisp and Reddick and extend the Oakland lead to 5-2.
The Angels would get a run back in the bottom of the ninth on a solo Wells homer, but Grant Balfour was able to retire the side to secure his fourth save of the season and the Oakland win. The A's are now 5-7 and stay a half-game ahead of the Angels.
Reddick was 3-for-4 in the game and Cespedes was 2-for-4. Tyson Ross did well in his season debut, allowing two earned runs on seven hits and no walks over six innings.
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