Watch CBS News

A's Beat Angels 5-1 To Split Season Opening Series

 

OAKLAND, Calif. (KPIX 5/AP) — Andrew Triggs had trouble spotting his fastball early. He felt better after escaping a jam — and early burst by his Oakland teammates helped, too.

Triggs pitched into the sixth inning for his second major league win, Ryon Healy homered and the Athletics beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-1 Thursday for an opening four-game split.

"When he's throwing the ball over the plate ... it's got so much movement on it, he's just a tough guy to get a good swing on," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. "As the game went along it seems like his stuff got a little better, then (he) got a lead and got some confidence behind it."

Triggs (1-0), who won at St. Louis on Aug. 28, allowed an unearned run, four hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings. The 28-year-old right-hander gave up Albert Pujols' RBI groundout in the third and left after consecutive singles in the sixth.

"It was about getting my fastball command a little bit more honed in as things got along there," Triggs said. "That inning by us was absolutely huge with Healy really breaking it open."

Healy homered during a four-run third.

Liam Hendricks, Santiago Casilla and Sean Doolittle combined for hitless relief.

Tyler Skaggs (0-1) had gotten a victory in his first start each season from 2013-16 but that streak came to an end as he gave up five runs, five hits and three walks in 5 1-3 innings.

"I was rushing out of the stretch and I let some pitches get away from me," Skaggs said. "The one to Healy ... I wanted the pitch outside and it was right down the middle. I have to pitch to my strengths and not their strengths."

Adam Rosales scored from first when Marcus Semien's routine single to center deflected off Mike Trout's glove and rolled to the wall for an error. Khris Davis hit a sacrifice fly and Healy hit a two-run homer with two outs that landed halfway up the bleachers in left.

Trevor Plouffe added an RBI single in the sixth.

 

TRAINER'S ROOM

Athletics: RHP Sonny Gray (shoulder strain) is scheduled to throw his second bullpen session Friday when Oakland plays in Texas. . RHP John Axford has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain in his right shoulder. He has been told not to throw for at least seven days.

UP NEXT

Athletics: RHP Raul Alcantara is slated to make his third career start against the Rangers on Friday in Texas. Alcantara went 1-1 against the Rangers last season.

TM and © Copyright 2017 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.