Angels take advantage of mistakes to complete sweep of A’s – Orange County Register

The Angels’ Zach Neto hits a three-run double during the sixth inning of their game against the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday afternoon at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM – A large Christmas tree stands outside Angel Stadium, as part of the team’s annual “Christmas in June” celebration.

Although the promotions don’t start until this weekend, the Oakland Athletics brought the gifts early.

The Angels took advantage of a handful of errors to beat the last-place A’s, 5-2, on Wednesday afternoon, sweeping the three-game series.

The Angels (33-46) have been out of contention all season, but are still six games ahead of the A’s (29-54), who are in the midst of a multi-year slumber as they wait for their home in Las Vegas. . to open in 2028.

The Angels were trailing 1-0 in the sixth inning, when the A’s surrendered the game. Starter Joey Estes allowed a leadoff single to Luis Rengifo, but then struck out the next two. He walked with Willie Calhoun.

Reliever Austin Adams came in and walked Luis Guillorme to load the bases. He then hit Mickey Moniak with a pitch, after leading 0-2, to force in the tying run.

Zach Neto followed with a three-run double. Matt Thaiss doubled home Neto, extending the lead to 5-1.

Before all that, the A’s let the Angels off the hook with sloppy base management.

With two outs and runners on first and second, Max Schuemann hit a ball to the gap in left-center field. Armando Álvarez scored from second and then Kyle McCann followed him to the goal.

However, McCann did not touch home plate as he ran past. Alvarez grabbed McCann’s arm, which slowed him down, and then McCann stepped back to touch home plate.

Referee John Bacon immediately pointed to Alvarez and noted that McCann was out because Alvarez had helped him. The A’s questioned McCann touching the plate the first time, but the decision was upheld.