Final Score in Los Angeles of Anaheim: Oakland Athletics 1, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 9
For the sixteenth time in his career, John Lackey beat the Oakland A's. Sunday afternoon's victory was the 100th regular season win for the veteran. Lackey threw 110 pitches in 8 innings, striking out 6, allowing 5 hits with the only run allowed being unearned.
Laceky had been pitching good of late, but the bats had not seemed to line up in his favor. They got in this time.
In the 5th inning, trailing 1-0, Chone Figgins doubled home the tying run, but two batters later, Torii Hunter handed Lackey the lead with a monster 3-Run Homer, swinging at the first pitch he saw. Kendry Morales hit a 3-Run homer in the 8th for insurance, adding on his 33rd August Ribby.
Coupled with a Texas loss in Minnesota, the Angels have a 5 Game lead in the West. They were joined in the dugout by their newest teammate, Scott Kazmir, reunited with his old Devil Ray pitching coach Mike Butcher. Reports had Kaz throwing a bullpen session with Mike Napoli and camera shots during the game showed him in conversation with his likely backstop. Kazmir will take the mound for the Angels wearing jersey #22 on Wednesday in Seattle.