Athletics Secure First Winning Month in Two Years with Victory Over Angels
- Brent Rooker hit his 10th home run in July, showcasing his impressive performance.
- Seth Brown contributed with three hits and three runs batted in, further aiding the team's success.
- The Oakland Athletics secured their first winning month in two years after this close victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics celebrated a significant milestone on Friday night, defeating the Los Angeles Angels 5-4 and marking their first winning month since July 2022. Brent Rooker played a pivotal role, hitting his 10th home run of July, while Seth Brown contributed three hits and three RBIs. Rooker's two-run homer in the sixth inning tied the game, making him the first Athletics player since Khris Davis in August 2018 to achieve double-digit homers in a single month. The Angels initially took control of the game, with Taylor Ward and Nolan Schanuel each hitting two-run homers in the first inning. However, the Athletics, who found themselves down 4-0 early on, rallied back in the sixth inning, scoring three runs to level the score. The pivotal moment came when a foul ball call was overturned by replay, allowing the Athletics to capitalize on the opportunity. Seth Brown's recent performance has been impressive, boasting a .389 batting average with four home runs and eight RBIs since his recall from Triple-A Las Vegas on July 11. Manager Mark Kotsay praised Brown's improved mindset, noting that he has been more patient at the plate. Meanwhile, Lucas Erceg secured his third save of the season in the ninth inning. In injury news, the Athletics announced that right-handed pitcher Luis Medina will undergo Tommy John surgery on August 6, adding to the team's challenges as they look to build on their recent success.