ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Back at .500 for the first time in a month, the Los Angeles Angels hope their latest small spurt leads to a playoff push.
Helped when Oakland's Daniel Coulombe opened the seventh with three consecutive walks, the Angels scored four times to rally for an 8-6 victory over the Athletics on Friday night.
Pinch-hitter Luis Valbuena hit a tying, two-run single off Blake Treinen to tie it, Yunel Escobar followed with a chopper that went for an infield single and Mike Trout blooped an RBI single.
"One of these times we're going to snap through it and go on a winning streak," Angels outfielder Ben Revere said. "I've seen teams do it before. Hopefully it's our turn because we're right there in the wild card."
Los Angeles (55-55) closed within two games for the second AL wild-card berth.
Jesse Chavez (6-10) made his first relief appearance since being moved back to the bullpen to earn the win, and Bud Norris pitched the ninth for his 18th save.
Matt Chapman hit a three-run homer and Khris Davis doubled in two more for the A's, who wasted a 6-2 lead.
Escobar hit a bouncer to third base in the seventh but Chapman dropped the ball as he tried to take it out of his glove for a throw.
"You feel like you missed a play you can make, and it ends up costing your team some runs in a tight ballgame," Chapman said. "That's not going to sit very well with me."
Cliff Pennington singled in two runs in the sixth to start the Angels' comeback.
JOYCE CONFRONTATION
A's outfielder Matt Joyce got into a heated exchange with a fan in the eighth after Angels first baseman C.J. Cron made a diving stop of his hard hit drive.
As Joyce returned to the dugout, he uttered several profanities at the fan, called him a gay slur and challenged him to fight, according to Associated Press photographer Mark J. Terrill, who overheard the exchange.
"It's just one of those things that fans kind of get into the game. Obviously, we're pretty frustrated on our side and I had just hit a ball hard and had Cron make a good play," Joyce said. "I was walking back to the dugout and just had a fan yell some vulgar and obscene words. For me it just wasn't the right time to say some stuff like that. I fired back and obviously as soon as you fire back you regret saying anything, because it's just not worth it."
FIRST START
The Angels' Troy Scribner gave up only two hits in four-plus innings but walked five and allowed five runs -- two earned -- in his first major league start.
"It's an amazing feeling," Scribner said. "I'm super lucky and fortunate to be where I'm at right now. Even though it didn't go as I hoped, it was a terrific time.
"I'm not displeased about it but we're going to learn from it and try to keep getting better."
SHOEMAKER TROUBLE
Los Angeles right-hander Matt Shoemaker, who has not pitched since developing a sore forearm on June 14, could be headed for surgery. The Angels said his forearm issue resurfaced during a bullpen session Friday and that "surgical intervention" was now a consideration. He was diagnosed with radial nerve compression.
Shoemaker said it was the first time surgery had been discussed and was uncertain if he would be able to pitch again this season.
"I honestly don't know," Shoemaker said. "I'm always optimistic. That's been the goal. If surgery happens, unfortunately probably not."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Athletics: Oakland's five players on the disabled list matches its season-low.
Angels: Right-hander Garrett Richards threw a 20-pitch bullpen session, all fastballs, and came out convinced he will pitch again this season. Expected to be the team's No.1 starter, Richards made only one start before being sidelined with a biceps nerve issue. ... Outfielder Kole Calhoun (sore hamstring) returned to the lineup for the first time since Sunday and went 2 for 4.
UP NEXT
Right-hander Paul Blackburn (2-1, 3.05) is scheduled to make his seventh career start and first against the Angels on Saturday. He got the win in his last start against the Giants despite giving up a career-high five runs in 6 1/3 innings.
---
More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball



Final
Series: Game 1 of 3

Athletics 6

(48-62, 17-37 away)

Angels 8

(55-55, 31-23 home)





10:07PM,EDT,August 4,2017
Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim,California 

123456789 R H E
OAK 030021000 6 6 2
LAA 02000240 - 8 13 1
W: J. Chavez (6-10)
L: D. Coulombe (2-2)
S: B. Norris (18)





View: Play-By-Play | Pitch-By-PitchInning: All | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
Oakland - Top of 1stSCORE
Troy Scribner pitching for Los AngelesOAKLAA
Joyce struck out swinging.00
Semien flied out to right.00
Lowrie flied out to left.00
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors
Los Angeles - Bottom of 1stSCORE
Jharel Cotton pitching for OaklandOAKLAA
Escobar grounded out to shortstop.00
Trout reached on infield single to shortstop.00
Pujols grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, Trout out at second.00
0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors
Oakland - Top of 2ndSCORE
Troy Scribner pitching for Los AngelesOAKLAA
K. Davis fouled out to first.00
Alonso walked.00
Healy grounded into fielder's choice to third, Alonso safe at second on throwing error by third baseman Escobar.00
Maxwell struck out swinging.00
Chapman homered to left center (415 feet), Alonso and Healy scored.30
Brugman struck out swinging.30
3 Runs, 1 Hits, 1 Errors
Los Angeles - Bottom of 2ndSCORE
Jharel Cotton pitching for OaklandOAKLAA
Calhoun singled to left.30
Simmons singled to center, Calhoun to second, Calhoun to third on error by center fielder Brugman.30
Revere hit sacrifice fly to center, Calhoun scored.31
Cron singled to center, Simmons to third.31
Cron to second on wild pitch by Cotton.31
Maldonado hit by pitch.31
Pennington struck out swinging.31
Escobar safe at first on error by third baseman Chapman, Simmons scored, Cron to third, Maldonado to second.32
Trout flied out to left.32
2 Runs, 3 Hits, 2 Errors
Oakland - Top of 3rdSCORE
Troy Scribner pitching for Los AngelesOAKLAA
Joyce flied out to left.32
Semien grounded out to shortstop.32
Lowrie fouled out to third.32
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors
Los Angeles - Bottom of 3rdSCORE
Jharel Cotton pitching for OaklandOAKLAA
Pujols lined out to left.32
Calhoun doubled to left.32
Simmons grounded out to third.32
Revere grounded out to shortstop.32
0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors
Oakland - Top of 4thSCORE
Troy Scribner pitching for Los AngelesOAKLAA
K. Davis doubled to deep center.32
Alonso flied out to left.32
Healy flied out to left.32
Maxwell walked.32
Chapman flied out to right.32
0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors
Los Angeles - Bottom of 4thSCORE
Jharel Cotton pitching for OaklandOAKLAA
Cron lined out to center.32
Maldonado flied out to left.32
Pennington struck out looking.32
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors
Oakland - Top of 5thSCORE
Troy Scribner pitching for Los AngelesOAKLAA
Brugman walked.32
Joyce walked, Brugman to second.32
Middleton relieved Scribner.32
Semien struck out swinging.32
Lowrie singled to left center, Brugman to third, Joyce to second.32
K. Davis doubled to deep right, Brugman and Joyce scored, Lowrie to third.52
Alonso intentionally walked.52
Healy popped out to second.52
Maxwell flied out to center.52
2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors
Los Angeles - Bottom of 5thSCORE
Jharel Cotton pitching for OaklandOAKLAA
Escobar flied out to right.52
Trout doubled to right.52
Pujols grounded out to shortstop.52
Calhoun flied out to right.52
0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors
Oakland - Top of 6thSCORE
Jesse Chavez pitching for Los AngelesOAKLAA
Chavez relieved Middleton.52
Chapman doubled to right.52
Brugman struck out looking.52
Chapman to third on wild pitch by Chavez.52
Joyce doubled to deep right, Chapman scored.62
Semien grounded out to third.62
Lowrie lined out to left.62
1 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors
Los Angeles - Bottom of 6thSCORE
Jharel Cotton pitching for OaklandOAKLAA
Simmons walked.62
Revere singled to right, Simmons to second.62
Hendriks relieved Cotton.62
Cron grounded into fielder's choice to second, Revere out at second, Simmons to third.62
Cron stole second.62
Maldonado popped out to shortstop.62
Pennington singled to center, Simmons and Cron scored.64
Escobar singled to center, Pennington to second.64
Dull relieved Hendriks.64
Trout walked, Pennington to third, Escobar to second.64
Pujols fouled out to third.64
2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors
Oakland - Top of 7thSCORE
Jesse Chavez pitching for Los AngelesOAKLAA
K. Davis grounded out to third.64
Alonso grounded out to second.64
Healy struck out swinging.64
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors
Los Angeles - Bottom of 7thSCORE
Daniel Coulombe pitching for OaklandOAKLAA
Coulombe relieved Dull.64
Calhoun walked.64
Simmons walked, Calhoun to second.64
Revere walked, Calhoun to third, Simmons to second.64
Treinen relieved Coulombe.64
Cron struck out swinging.64
Valbuena hit for Maldonado.64
Valbuena singled to shallow left center, Calhoun and Simmons scored, Revere to second.66
Pennington grounded into fielder's choice to second, Valbuena out at second, Revere to third.66
Escobar reached on infield single to third, Revere scored, Pennington to second.67
Trout singled to right, Pennington scored, Escobar to third.68
Pujols grounded out to third.68
4 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors
Oakland - Top of 8thSCORE
Blake Parker pitching for Los AngelesOAKLAA
Graterol catching.68
Parker relieved Chavez.68
Maxwell struck out swinging.68
Chapman grounded out to third.68
Brugman walked.68
Joyce grounded out to first.68
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors
Los Angeles - Bottom of 8thSCORE
Simon Castro pitching for OaklandOAKLAA
Castro relieved Treinen.68
Calhoun struck out looking.68
Simmons flied out to right.68
Revere doubled to deep right center.68
Cron struck out looking.68
0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors
Oakland - Top of 9thSCORE
Bud Norris pitching for Los AngelesOAKLAA
Norris relieved Parker.68
Semien struck out swinging.68
Lowrie lined out to first.68
K. Davis struck out swinging.68
0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors




Oakland Athletics
HittersABRHRBIBBSO#PAVGOBPSLG
Joyce RF41111124.227.336.421
Semien SS50000215.226.323.358
Lowrie 2B50100023.269.345.437
K. Davis LF50220113.241.328.506
Alonso 1B2100209.267.370.528
Healy DH41000112.254.285.457
Maxwell C30001219.220.338.303
Chapman 3B42230021.225.298.505
Brugman CF21002221.269.349.343
Totals3466669157   
BATTING
2B: K. Davis 2 (21, Scribner, Middleton); Chapman (8, Chavez); Joyce (20, Chavez)
HR: Chapman (7, 2nd inning off Scribner 2 on, 2 Out)
RBI: Chapman 3 (17), K. Davis 2 (73), Joyce (43)
2-out RBI: Chapman 3
Athletics RISP: 4-14 (Alonso 0-1, Healy 0-2, Brugman 0-1, K. Davis 1-1, Chapman 1-2, Semien 0-2, Joyce 1-1, Maxwell 0-2, Lowrie 1-2)
Team LOB: 7
FIELDING
E: Brugman (1, bobble); Chapman (4, ground ball)
DP: 1 (Semien-Lowrie-Alonso).

Game Information

StadiumAngel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, CA
Attendance43,330 (95.2% full) - % is based on regular season capacity
Game Time3:31
Weather83 degrees, clear
Wind8 mph
UmpiresHome Plate - Chris Segal, First Base - Jerry Meals, Second Base - Ron Kulpa, Third Base - Chris Conroy