Angels rally past A's for third win in a row

OAKLAND >> For most of the night, the Angels looked just as quiet offensively as they have throughout much of the season’s first eight games.

But they came to life just in time.

Albert Pujols’ two-run double in the eighth and Geovany Soto’s two-run homer in the ninth capped a rally in the Angels’ 5-4 victory over the Oakland A’s on Tuesday night.

The Angels have won three in a row to get back to .500, at 4-4.

They trailed 4-1 in the eighth iing, having done almost nothing against Oakland No. 4 starter Kendall Graveman.

With one out and Ryan Madson on the mound for Oakland, Yunel Escobar singled, one of his three hits on the night. Daniel Nava then singled. After Mike Trout struck out, Pujols yanked a double down the left-field line, bringing the Angels within a run.

In the ninth, the A’s sent closer Sean Doolittle to the mound against the bottom of the Angels order.

Doolittle retired Andrelton Simmons, but then C.J. Cron – who had been benched for the night because of a slump – drew a walk. Soto then blasted a homer over the fence in left center, putting the Angels on top for the first time all night.

Huston Street, pitching for the third day in a row, locked down the save in the ninth. He got some help from shortstop Andrelton Simmons, who raced far into foul territory from short to catch a pop-up.

Meanwhile, Angels starter Hector Santiago had a strong outing. He lasted 7 2/3 iings, his longest outing with the Angels.

Santiago gave up four runs, two on mistakes to No. 9 hitter Marcus Semien, who hit a pair of homers on two-strike pitches.

The other two runs the A’s scored against Santiago were the result of a walk, some well-placed singles and a couple stolen bases.

Santiago walked speedy leadoff man Billy Bus to start the first iing, and he stole second. An out later, two consecutive hitters poked singles through the holes in the Angels infield.

In the third, after Semien’s first homer, Bus reached on another single. He went to second on a grounder and stole third. His second stolen base of the night also proved to be critical, as he scored on a groundout.

Santiago seemed like he was going to be on the hook for a loss, though, because the offense was not giving him much support.

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For six iings Tuesday they were held at bay by the relatively unheralded Graveman.

The only run the Angels managed against him was courtesy of Pujols’ legs. Pujols drew a leadoff walk, then went to third on a Kole Calhoun single into right.

A good throw would have had Pujols easily, yet Gold Glove right fielder Josh Reddick, perhaps surprised that Pujols was going, threw off line and Pujols was in standing. Pujols then scored on a double play.