In game two of a four-game series against the Oakland Athletics at the Big A, Dan Haren took the mound for the Los Angeles Angels, looking for his first win of the 2012 season. It appeared he was well on his way before the Angels bullpen coughed up a slim lead, ultimately resulting in a 5-3 loss for Los Angeles.
The A's got on the board first, on a Daric Barton solo homer in the top of the fourth inning. The Angels tied things up n the bottom of the fourth, as Vernon Wells and Alberto Callaspo led off the home half with back-to-back singles and Wells was brought home by a Peter Bourjos groundout.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Halos took the lead on a Torii Hunter two-out RBI single that plated Kendrys Morales. Haren exited the game in the top of the seventh inning with Los Angeles holding a 2-1 lead. Unfortunately, the top of the eighth would end up being the undoing for the Angels.
Kevin Jepsen was brought in to pitch the eighth for Los Angeles. He struck out Josh Donaldson looking, but then allowed back-to-back walks. Coco Crisp then hit an RBI single and Josh Reddick followed up with an RBI double, giving the A's a 3-2 lead. David Carpenter came in to limit the damage, but immediately gave up a two-RBI single to Yoenis Cespedes to stretch the Oakland lead to 5-2.
The Angels would get one more run in the bottom of the ninth inning on a solo homer by Wells, but would get no closer. Haren wound up going 6.2 innings, giving up just one run on no walks and five hits in the no-decision. Jepsen ended up charged with his first blown save and first loss of the season.
The bright spot for Los Angeles were the Nos. 4-8 hitters in the lineup, as Morales, Hunter, Wells and Callaspo each picked up two hits and two of three Angels RBI in the game.
For all news and information regarding the Los Angeles Angels, please visit Halos Heaven. For updates and perspective regarding the Oakland A's, head on over to Athletics Nation or check out SB Nation Bay Area.
