Matt Chapman gave everything he could, but Mike Trout and the Angels eventually came away with a 10-9 victory over the Oakland A’s.
After an exciting game to end the home series against the Houston Astros, Matt Chapman and Mike Trout gave the virtual Los Angeles crowd a long and exciting game on Monday. Powered by a record setting night from Chapman, the A’s were unable to hold their lead and fell 10-9 to the Angels.
It was another rough outing for starter Sean Manaea who has struggled in each of his starts to begin the 2020 season. Manaea had been the A’s ace in recent years, but he has been unable to locate his fastball or any of his pitches when needed.
Manaea only lasted 2.2 innings which is the shortest outing of his season so far. In his short time on the mound, the lefty gave up four runs and walked three batters.
The true highlight of the game for Oakland was the overall performance of third baseman Matt Chapman. The rising star showed out offensively and defensively, doing his best to single handedly win the game for the A’s.
Chapman was 3 for 5 on the evening, hitting two homeruns and adding a bases clearing triple. On a night where the team struggled, Chapman decided to set some Oakland Athletics records.
Matt Chapman is the first A's player with at least 2 HR and a triple in a game since Mitchell Paige on Aug. 29, 1977.
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 11, 2020
He's just the 8th player in franchise history to do it, on a list that includes 1958 Roger Maris and 1933 Jimmie Foxx, too.
Most recent #Athletics with at least two homers and a triple in a game:
— Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) August 11, 2020
Aug. 10, 2020 - Matt Chapman
Aug. 29, 1977 - Mitchell Page
Aug. 3, 1958 - Roger Maris
June 16, 1951 - Eddie Joost
April 28, 1935 - Bob Johnson
July 2, 1933 - Jimmie Foxx
April 13, 1928 - Joe Hauser
Since it wasn’t enough to carry the offense, Chapman decided to go save some runs while manning the hot corner as well.
Although Chapman excelled, Mike Trout decided to use his newfound father strength to counter the Platinum Glove winner from the Bay Area.
Trout added two singles and two homeruns of his own to the hit parade in Los Angeles. His 426 foot solo shot to left field in the eight inning would end up being the winning run for the Angels.
The loss ended Oakland’s nine game winning streak, but the A’s still hold a comfortable lead in the AL West.
The A’s will look to rebound on Tuesday with Mike Fiers on the mound. After relievers J.B. Wendelken and Lou Trivino struggled Monday night, the bullpen will do their best to return to shutdown form against the division rivals.