Piscotty hits, Anderson solid in 10-0 win over Angels

OAKLAND – It was not a complete panic mode in the A's clubhouse, but the atmosphere was a bit more tense. By entering for the first time in nearly two months in the losers three in a row, they needed a game like this.

While the Tampa Bay Rays were already earning earlier in the day, the A (91-61) could see their lead soften further for the second Wild card. But an offensive explosion that featured a five-point day with Stephen Piscotty and a quality start from Brett Anderson helped the A to make a three-game losing streak in the 10-0 win over the Angels on Wednesday. Two and a half games less than the New York Yankees for first place in the wild card AL with 10 left.

"It's been a while since we lost three games in a row. We went ballooning at 0.700 for a long time. You know you are going to have moments when you lose a few games in a row, "said Bob Melvin, manager of A. "After losing three times in a row, you see how a team reacts, and they came out and played a great game all around."

Anderson's exit was a great sigh of relief for Melvin, who had to navigate bumpy waters with a spin that had struggled to get into the games in recent weeks. The southpaw held the scoreless Angels (75-77) with only three hits in six innings and 2/3, becoming the first A starter to overtake the sixth as Anderson himself pitched seven innings in a win against the Texas Rangers. 21st of August

Anderson improved his performance by 4-5 with a 3.96 ERA on 15 starts, which was his second start on the list of players with disabilities. On his last start to Baltimore last week, he struggled in a loss to the Orioles when he had only lasted 3 1/3 innings tonight.

Anderson made it easy Wednesday night, contacting for early starts. He imposed ground balls in 12 of his 20 registered outs, giving Melvin the ball with two outs and a runner in the seventh with just 82 shots.

"Especially after my last outing, to participate in the seventh, we have some competent guys out there, but as long as you give your team a chance to win, you have to start as long as you can," Anderson said. "Today, I was quite efficient and I had early contacts and early departures."

Only a handful of Anderson's throwers were breaking balls. Jokingly, he compared himself to Dallas Braden, former pitcher and color columnist for A's team, for the constant dose of change he launched in the evening.

"Generally, when you see it in a groove, you'll see it get a lot of ground balls early," Melvin said. "I think he only threw two break points throughout the match. When he was warming up, he seemed to have a good one, but he did not really need it. Keep the ball on the ground and keep everyone in play quickly.

In what continues to be a career year for Piscotty, he seems to be getting stronger as the season ends. His 2-on-3 match included a three-run homer with Parker Bridwell, his 25th of the season, and a pair of Angels native Felix Peña, while the Pleasanton native tied his career record in the second division. month.

"He was huge. We talked about him after the first month of the season when he had acclimatized, and the next thing you know is that he is as productive and that a player like us did all the year, "said Melvin. "He had a stretch where it seemed like every home shot he was hitting was a kickoff or a home draw, and he kept pace. You look at the numbers and he's probably having his best season right now. "

Piscotty is now in agreement with his manager when asked if his fourth season in the big league was really his best season.

"Seriously," said Piscotty. "I think that even if I do not do a lot of things about it, the results speak for themselves. I've somehow weighed my successes in moments and cool memories that have accumulated throughout the season, and this one is definitely on top for sure. "

Piscotty's double in the fourth set came in a heat that saw the A win with seven batters opening the game to six points.

With such a comfortable lead, the As were able to rest the back of the paddock and go to their linebackers, who made a great effort. Ryan Dull, Frankie Montas and Aaron Brooks have teamed up to eliminate the Angels in one stroke over the last 2 1/3 innings.