ANAHEIM — Back at .500 for the first time in a month, the Los Angeles Angels hope their latest small spurt leads to a playoff push.
Helped when Oakland’s Daniel Coulombe opened the seventh with three consecutive walks, the Angels scored four times to rally for an 8-6 victory over the Athletics on Friday night.
Pinch-hitter Luis Valbuena hit a tying, two-run single off Blake Treinen to tie it, Yunel Escobar followed with a chopper that went for an infield single and Mike Trout blooped an RBI single.
“One of these times we’re going to snap through it and go on a winning streak,” Angels outfielder Ben Revere said. “I’ve seen teams do it before. Hopefully it’s our turn because we’re right there in the wild card.”
Los Angeles (55-55) closed within two games for the second AL wild-card berth.
Jesse Chavez (6-10) made his first relief appearance since being moved back to the bullpen to earn the win, and Bud Norris pitched the ninth for his 18th save.
Matt Chapman hit a three-run homer and Khris Davis doubled in two more for the A’s, who wasted a 6-2 lead.
Escobar hit a bouncer to third base in the seventh but Chapman dropped the ball as he tried to take it out of his glove for a throw.
“You feel like you missed a play you can make, and it ends up costing your team some runs in a tight ballgame,” Chapman said. “That’s not going to sit very well with me.”
Cliff Pennington singled in two runs in the sixth to start the Angels’ comeback.
JOYCE CONFRONTATION
A’s outfielder Matt Joyce got into a heated exchange with a fan in the eighth after Angels first baseman C.J. Cron made a diving stop of his hard hit drive.
As Joyce returned to the dugout, he uttered several profanities at the fan, called him a gay slur and challenged him to fight, according to Associated Press photographer Mark J. Terrill, who overheard the exchange.
“It’s just one of those things that fans kind of get into the game. Obviously, we’re pretty frustrated on our side and I had just hit a ball hard and had Cron make a good play,” Joyce said. “I was walking back to the dugout and just had a fan yell some vulgar and obscene words. For me it just wasn’t the right time to say some stuff like that. I fired back and obviously as soon as you fire back you regret saying anything, because it’s just not worth it.”
FIRST START
The Angels’ Troy Scribner gave up only two hits in four-plus innings but walked five and allowed five runs — two earned — in his first major league start.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” Scribner said. “I’m super lucky and fortunate to be where I’m at right now. Even though it didn’t go as I hoped, it was a terrific time.
“I’m not displeased about it but we’re going to learn from it and try to keep getting better.”
SHOEMAKER TROUBLE
Los Angeles right-hander Matt Shoemaker, who has not pitched since developing a sore forearm on June 14, could be headed for surgery. The Angels said his forearm issue resurfaced during a bullpen session Friday and that “surgical intervention” was now a consideration. He was diagnosed with radial nerve compression.
Shoemaker said it was the first time surgery had been discussed and was uncertain if he would be able to pitch again this season.
“I honestly don’t know,” Shoemaker said. “I’m always optimistic. That’s been the goal. If surgery happens, unfortunately probably not.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Athletics: Oakland’s five players on the disabled list matches its season-low.
Angels: Right-hander Garrett Richards threw a 20-pitch bullpen session, all fastballs, and came out convinced he will pitch again this season. Expected to be the team’s No.1 starter, Richards made only one start before being sidelined with a biceps nerve issue. … Outfielder Kole Calhoun (sore hamstring) returned to the lineup for the first time since Sunday and went 2 for 4.
UP NEXT
Right-hander Paul Blackburn (2-1, 3.05) is scheduled to make his seventh career start and first against the Angels on Saturday. He got the win in his last start against the Giants despite giving up a career-high five runs in 6 1/3 innings.
