Oakland, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Mike Trout went 2-for-3 with a homer and three RBI to lead the Los Angeles Angels in a 6-3 win over the Oakland Athletics in the second of a three-game set.
Johnny Giavotella's single in the seventh proved to be the game-winner for the Angels, who snapped a two-game skid.
Fernando Salas (1-0) earned the win for an inning in relief of starter Matt Shoemaker, who allowed three runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings of work.
Shoemaker was just activated off the bereavement list following the death of his grandfather and hadn't pitched since April 20.
Erick Aybar had two RBI in the win.
Marcus Semien went 3-for-4 with two runs scored for the A's, while Stephen Vogt, Ike Davis and Josh Reddick each knocked in a run in the loss.
Matt Joyce opened the seventh with a walk off Ryan Cook (0-1) and C.J. Cron followed with a single to right that put runners at the corners. Chris Iannetta was called out on strikes prior to Giavotella ripping a single up the middle that plated Joyce for a 4-3 lead.
"He brings electricity to the lineup," Trout said of Giavotella. "He's always out there battling in every at-bat."
Fernando Abad relieved Cook and walked Kole Calhoun, the only batter he faced. Trout welcomed Evan Scribner to the game with a double into left field for a 6-3 edge. Grant Green attempted a safety squeeze, but popped out to first base, then David Freese grounded out to end the inning.
"It is (deflating) but there is not much that you can do about it," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said of coming back to tie the score only to falter in the seventh.
Oakland had its chance to trim the deficit in the home half. Eric Sogard led off with a double and Sam Fuld reached on an error by Giavotella two batters later to put runners at the corners with one out. Salas then induced a popout from Marcus Semien and a groundout by Vogt to end the threat.
Joe Smith cruised through the eighth inning to set up Huston Street's eighth save of the season in the ninth.
Aybar opened the scoring in the first with a two-run single off starter Jesse Hahn, and Trout made it 3-0 after three with his fifth homer of the season.
The Athletics tied the game with one run in the fourth and two in the sixth. Vogt singled home Semien in the fourth, then in the sixth, Ike Davis doubled down the right-field line to score Semien and Reddick singled Davis in to tie the score with two outs in the sixth.
Game Notes
Albert Pujols' left game in the sixth inning with left hamstring tightness after hitting a single to center field ... Hahn hadn't pitched since April 18 due to a blister he suffered against Kansas City. He allowed three runs on four hits with six strikeouts over five innings.
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