OAKLAND -- Bobby Abreu hit a two-run home run in the first inning, and left-hander Scott Kazmir allowed just one run over 6 1/3 innings as the Los Angeles Angels beat the Oakland A's 4-2 on Monday night.
The Angels won their sixth straight game and moved into first place in the American League West, a half-game ahead of the Texas Rangers, who lost 4-2 to Seattle.
Entering the game, Kazmir had thrown 13 consecutive scoreless innings against the A's at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. He extended that streak to 19 1/3 innings before A's left fielder Jake Fox sent a 2-2 pitch into the left-field seats in the seventh inning, cutting the Angels' lead to 4-1.
Kazmir improved to 5-5 on the season and 9-3 lifetime against the A's. He allowed five hits while striking out five and walking two.
The Angels gave Kazmir an early two-run lead in the first when Howard Kendrick reached on a throwing error by A's third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff and Abreu deposited a Ben Sheets pitch over the right-field wall.
The Angels struck for two more runs in the fourth off Sheets. With two outs, catcher Bobby Wilson doubled down the right-field line and shortstop Erick Aybar roped a run-scoring triple to right-center. Kendrick brought Aybar home with an infield single up the middle.
The Angels won their sixth straight game and moved into first place in the American League West, a half-game ahead of the Texas Rangers, who lost 4-2 to Seattle.
Entering the game, Kazmir had thrown 13 consecutive scoreless innings against the A's at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. He extended that streak to 19 1/3 innings before A's left fielder Jake Fox sent a 2-2 pitch into the left-field seats in the seventh inning, cutting the Angels' lead to 4-1.
Kazmir improved to 5-5 on the season and 9-3 lifetime against the A's. He allowed five hits while striking out five and walking two.
The Angels gave Kazmir an early two-run lead in the first when Howard Kendrick reached on a throwing error by A's third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff and Abreu deposited a Ben Sheets pitch over the right-field wall.
The Angels struck for two more runs in the fourth off Sheets. With two outs, catcher Bobby Wilson doubled down the right-field line and shortstop Erick Aybar roped a run-scoring triple to right-center. Kendrick brought Aybar home with an infield single up the middle.