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Burns drives in the winning run in the 9th inning
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OAKLAND (AP) — Jake Smolinski thought he caught it. Billy Burns knew otherwise. The outfielders are able to joke about it after they came through with big at-bats.
Burns singled with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to lift the Oakland Athletics to a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night.
“It was especially nice when I don’t get any other hits,” Burns said. “It was great to come through for the team.”
The Angels successfully challenged what would have been a game-ending double play in the top of the ninth. A ball hit to right fielder Smolinski was ruled a catch and with pinch-runner Todd Cunningham standing on second, it looked like an easy double play.
“Initially I thought I did catch it,” Smolinski said. “When I saw the replay it wasn’t even close. It was a weird situation. I thought I caught it and so did the umpire.”
Replays clearly showed the ball bouncing into Smolinski’s glove and the play was reversed. Johnny Giavotella followed with a sacrifice fly that tied the game at 2.
“I was hoping it would be a situation where they would be unable to reverse the call,” Burns said. “I was wondering what they would do with the runners. He deserved to be at third.”
Marcus Semien drew a two-out walk from Fernando Salas (3-3) and Smolinski singled him to third to set up Burns’ first career walk-off RBI.
Ryan Madson (3-2) gave up the lead in the ninth and got the victory.
Khris Davis hit a tie-breaking homer in the fourth and Oakland starter Kendall Graveman allowed three hits over seven innings.
“I had a great sinker and stuck with it,” Graveman said. “It wasn’t the plan, but it was so good we kept with it.”
Yonder Alonso drove in a run for the A’s, who had lost 10 of their previous 12 games. Danny Valencia added two hits and scored a run.
Kole Calhoun hit a home run for the Angels, who had a two-game winning streak end. The Angels have lost eight of 11.
Graveman was stuck with his third straight no-decision and he’s 1-0 over his last five starts. He gave up Calhoun’s homer and that was it. Graveman walked one and struck out four.
Angels starter Matt Shoemaker allowed two runs — one earned — and six hits. He walked one and struck out seven.
“I think Matt was maybe grinding a little bit more,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “You can’t ask for anything more than he gave. He went six and one of the runs was unearned. You can’t do much better than that.”
Shoemaker is 1-2 with a 1.82 ERA over his last six starts. He’s recorded 55 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings and walked one.
The A’s scored in the second on Alonso’s sacrifice fly to take 1-0 lead.
Calhoun’s ninth homer of the season, a solo shot with one out in the third, tied it.
Davis led off the fourth with his 16th homer of the year.
TRAINER’S ROOM:
Angels: RHP Nick Tropeano (right shoulder tightness) will be throwing but is about a week away from beginning a rehab assignment. He last pitched May 29. ... C Geovanny Soto (right lateral meniscus) was scheduled to catch a bullpen session and will take batting practice on Saturday.
Athletics: OF Josh Reddick (left thumb) took batting practice and will do so again Saturday. If all goes well, he’ll start a rehab assignment on Sunday with Triple-A Nashville. ... LHP Rich Hill threw 10 pitches off the mound and will repeat that on Sunday. ... LHP Sean Manaea played catch from 90 feet, an encouraging sign.
UP NEXT:
Angels: Former Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum will get his first start of the season Saturday. The right-hander, who pitched for Oakland’s Bay Area rival San Francisco Giants, is 5-3 with a 2.70 ERA in 10 career starts against the A’s. He’s making his first appearance in Oakland since June 22, 2012.
Athletics: Andrew Triggs will be recalled to start Saturday’s game against the Angels. The right-hander makes his first career start after 10 relief appearances.