When the Angels made the trade for Vernon Wells this off-season, GM Tony Reagins said one of the benefits of the deal was the improved defense in the outfield. Well, so much for that...at least in this game. Although the boxscore will show just one error -- which lead to a run -- it was a misplayed fly ball by Wells which was scored a triple, that would change the game.
Once again the Angels could provide no run support for Dan Haren as they lose to Oakland in 10 innings, 2-1. Haren went 7 innings, allowing 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5. The lone Oakland run scored against Haren was manufactured without a hit. Using a walk, an error, a hit batsman and a sacrifice fly, the A's held the lead until the bottom of the ninth.
Leading off the ninth inning, pinch-hitter Maicer Izturis managed to get on base thanks to Oakland third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff's 6th error of the season. Erick Aybar bunted pinch runner Mark Trumbo to second, and Bobby Abreu doubled down the third base line scoring Trumbo to tie the game. Following an intentional walk to Torii Hunter, Vernon Wells struck out and Alberto Callaspo ended the inning with a pop up to second.
With Angels' closer Jordan Walden on the mound, Chad Pennington lead-off the inning with a fly ball to left that was misplayed into a triple when Wells was unable to make the difficult catch. Pennington would score the go-ahead run two batters later on a ground out to short.
The Angels went out in order in the bottom of the tenth, ending their chance of sweeping Oakland. With a 2-5 record for their home stand, the Angels will head to Tampa after a day off on Thursday.