The Los Angeles Angels appear to have missed out on a fantastic opportunity, it appears. With their closest competition for a playoff spot in town for a four-game series, the Angels have now dropped the first three games and will be trying to avoid a sweep. The Halos were nearly shut out on Wednesday night in a 4-1 loss.
The A's jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning, when Yoenis Cespedes scored on a fielding error by Erick Aybar. Cespedes made it 2-0 Oakland in the sixth inning with a solo home run; his second of the series.
Jason Isringhausen came into the game in the eighth and gave up a leadoff double to Josh Donaldson. Derek Norris hit another double to push the Oakland lead to 3-0. Coco Crisp would drive in the last run later in the eighth with an RBI single.
Albert Pujols launched a leadoff home run to left field in the bottom of the ninth to prevent the shutout. The blast was his 30th of the year. It was also home run No. 475 in his career, tying him for 28th on the all-time list, along with Stan Musial and Willie Stargell.
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