ANAHEIM — Andrew Heaney struck out a career-high 10, Martin Maldonado had three hits and scored twice and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Oakland Athletics 3-1 on Monday night.
Heaney (1-0), making his third start since Tommy John surgery, struck out the side in the first and the sixth innings. He had his best outing since the surgery, allowing two hits in six innings. He walked three and gave up one home run but worked his way out of trouble behind a strong curveball.
Blake Parker pitched a scoreless ninth for his third save.
Daniel Gossett (3-7) allowed three runs in 6 2/3 innings.
In the seventh, Ben Revere doubled to right, and Maldonado slid home headfirst on a throwing error by right fielder Matt Joyce. The catcher scored from first to give the Angels a two-run lead.
Oakland’s Dustin Garneau homered for the first time this season to lead off the third inning and tie it at 1.
Heaney got himself into trouble in the fifth but worked himself out. He got two outs, then walked back-to-back batters. They advanced to second and third via a wild pitch, but then he struck out Chad Pinder on a curveball.
Heaney has been his most effective when that curve has been working. This was the first time since returning from his surgery that he appeared to have full command of it.
Angels star Mike Trout was not in the lineup due to neck stiffness from having crashed into the outfield wall a day earlier. Trout is in an 0-for-17 slump. The longest slump of his career came in 2014 when he went 0 for 18.
TRAINERS ROOM
A’s: RHP Paul Blackburn (right hand contusion), who is on the 10-day disabled list, was scheduled to have tests Monday but results were not yet available.
Angels: Manager Mike Scioscia hopes to get Trout back Tuesday.
UP NEXT
A’s: RHP Chris Smith (0-3, 5.56 ERA) is still looking for his first win since being promoted on July 8. He’s just 0-2 with a 7.30 ERA in his last five outings (four of which were starts).
Angels: RHP Troy Scribner (2-1, 4.00 ERA) makes his fourth start. The Angels are 4-1 in games he’s pitched this season. He had a career-high six strikeouts last Thursday in a 3-0 loss to Texas.
