The Los Angeles Angels opened a huge three-game series against the Oakland Athletics on Monday, knowing there is quite a bit on the line as it pertains to the Wild Card race as well as the American League West standings. Luckily, the Angels were able to get the series started on the right foot, as Chris Iannetta and C.J. Wilson helped power the Halos to an 8-3 victory.
Vernon Wells and Iannetta hit RBI singles in the top of the second inning to get Los Angeles out to a 2-0 lead. Torii Hunter led off the third inning with a home run and Erick Aybar added a two-out RBI single to make it 4-0 Halos. Wells led off the fourth inning with another home run, his 10th of the season.
The A's finally got on the board in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI single from Josh Reddick and Josh Donaldson led off the bottom of the fifth with a home run to cut the Angels lead to 5-2, but the Angels answered back with three runs in the top of the sixth, thanks to a two-run Iannetta homer and a sacrifice fly from Hunter.
Oakland was only able to muster one more run, with a solo homer from Chris Carter off of reliever LaTroy Hawkins in the bottom of the eighth.
Wilson picked up his 11th win of the year after going five innings and giving up two runs on five hits and two walks.
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