Light-hitting Mickey Moniak delivered the big blow Tuesday night while the Athletics blew their chance at a big inning early and late in a 7-5 road loss to the Los Angeles Angels. Moniak, the Angels center fielder with Mike Trout injured, hit a fourth-inning grand slam against A’s starter and loser Mitch Spence (4-4). Tyler Anderson kept giving the A’s free baserunners but didn’t pay often enough for his mistakes, made it through five innings and improved his record to 7-7.
The Athletics, 29-53, hope to avoid a series sweep Wednesday afternoon against the Angeles before departing for Arizona and have lot 14 of their last 17 games. The Angels are 32-46. The grand slam was Moniak’s fourth home run of the season.
The A’s got a home run from designated hitter Brent Rooker, his 14th. Taylor Ward hit a solo shot off Sean Newcomb in the seventh, his 15th of the season and second homer in two nights. The A’s scored twice in the eighth against Jose Marte to get within 7-5, with Armando Alvarez bringing a run with a bloop single, which came immediately after a bloop single by Gelof.
It brought home Shea Langeliers, who reached on Luis Rengifo’s error at third base. Pinch-hitter Lawrence Butler hit the ball solidly to center, but Moniak chased it down for a sacrifice fly and the rally ended there when Ben Joyce got JJ Bleday to ground into a double play. Carlos Estevez picked up his 14th save for the Angels, giving up just a two-out single to Tyler Soderstrom and striking .