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Oakland A’s take series win over Angels with 5-4 extra inning victory

By MJ Hurley

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 23: Mark Canha #20 of the Oakland Athletics is congratulated by Robbie Grossman #8 after he hit a sacrifice fly that scored the winning run in the 10th inning against the Los Angeles Angels at RingCentral Coliseum on August 23, 2020 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 23: Mark Canha #20 of the Oakland Athletics is congratulated by Robbie Grossman #8 after he hit a sacrifice fly that scored the winning run in the 10th inning against the Los Angeles Angels at RingCentral Coliseum on August 23, 2020 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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The Oakland A’s continued their impressive run at home, and in extra innings, in their 5-4 victory over the Angels.

The Oakland A’s have been on an incredible run while at home, with their 5-4 win over the Angels on Saturday extending their record to 13-4 on the home on the year. Oakland continued their domination over LA with an extra inning win that made the “Late Inning A’s” 5-0 in extra inning contests on the year.

Frankie Montas gave the A’s a decent outing on the mound, but was unable to make it through five innings and was pulled in the fifth after surrendering four runs on seven hits and three walks.

Once again, the Oakland bullpen continued their domination with 5.1 scoreless innings coming from J.B. Wendelken, Jake Diekman, Joakim Soria, and Liam Hendriks.

Shohei Ohtani provided the majority of the offense for Los Angeles. The lefty hit a towering three run shot 439 feet to left field in the third inning.

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Dylan Bundy was solid for the Angels in a 5.2 inning start. Bundy allowed three runs and left in position to receive the win. Unfortunately, Mike Mayers immediately gave up a single to Stephen Piscotty which tied the game at four.

There was action early in the sixth inning other than the scoring spree, when Angels manager Joe Maddon was ejected by first base umpire Lance Barrett for arguing a check-swing call in the sixth inning. The other evening on Thursday, Maddon complained to Barrett after Giants pitcher Shaun Anderson up and in at Mike Trout for the third time in two contests.

With Maddon gone, the Angels were forced to maneuver an extra inning game without their veteran skipper at the helm.

After Matt Olson struck out to end the bottom of the ninth inning, Franklin Barreto started off the bottom of the tenth inning on second base.

The A’s brought in closer Liam Hendriks in the tenth inning to deny the Angels any opportunity to score. Although conventional analysts are against using closers in non-save situations, Oakland was very happy to escape unscathed in the top of the tenth.

In the bottom half of the frame, a Matt Chapman single followed by a Mark Canha walk-off sacrifice fly gave the A’s their 20th win on the season.

The Athletics have the best record in the American League and the second best record in MLB behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. Backed by a powerful offense and an incredible bullpen, the A’s hold a 4.5 game lead over the Houston Astros in the AL West.

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The Oakland A’s will start a 10 game road trip on Monday with rookie Jesus Luzardo looking to continue his dominant ways against the Texas Rangers.