Los Angeles Angels dominate the Oakland A's

Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at bat wearing black and gold Nike Batting gloves in honor of Kobe Bryant's retirement during the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at the Coliseum on April 13, 2016 in Oakland, California. (April 13, 2016 - Source: Jason O. Watson/Getty Images North America)

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim win at the Oakland A’s 5-1 to sweep the three-game series against their AL West rival and move atop the division.

CF Mike Trout and RF Kole Calhoun were the difference makers on a sunny afternoon in California. Trout finished the game batting 3-for-5, scoring 3 runs and stealing 1 base. Calhoun batted 3-for-5 and had 1 run and 2 RBI.

Kole Calhoun’s singles in the 3rd and 5th inning resulted in 2 runs from Mike Trout and gave the Angels a 2-0 lead. Calhoun made it 3-0 in the 8th inning after a single from SS Andrelton Simmons.

SS Marcus Semien gave the home fans a shimmer of hope with his 382ft home run in the 8th inning but DH Albert Pujol’s two-run single in the 9th inning proved too much to overcome for the A’s.

Oakland’s SP Eric Surkamp had trouble getting hitters out and ran up a high pitch count early. In 4.2 innings he allowed 5 hits, 4 walks, 2 earned runs and was credited with the loss.

Los Angeles’ SP Matt Shoemaker pitched 6 scoreless innings, allowing 1 hit and 3 walks while striking out 5.

After a rest day tomorrow the Angels will travel to Minnesota for a three-game series against the winless Twins and the A’s will host the defending World Series Champions, the Kansas City Royals.