Brent Rooker hit his 10th home run in July, Seth Brown had three hits and drove in three runs, and the Oakland Athletics achieved their first winning month in two years by defeating the Los Angeles Angels 5-4 on Friday night.
Oakland finished July with a 13-7 record, ending a streak of 11 straight months with losing records. This is their first winning month since July 2022, when they went 14-12.
“No matter what happens individually, the wins always matter. The way we have been playing this month is awesome,” said Rooker.
His two-run homer in the sixth inning tied the game at 4-4 and made him the first Oakland player since Khris Davis in August 2018 to hit ten or more home runs in a month. “We are playing the way we thought we were capable of. It’s nice to see it coming together and everyone is contributing.”
Taylor Ward and Nolan Schanuel each hit two-run homers in the first inning, and Logan O’Hoppe had three hits, but the Angels couldn’t hold on to their early lead for the second night in a row.
The Athletics were behind 4-0 after the first inning and trailed by two runs going into the sixth before scoring three runs. Brown gave them the lead with a single down the right-field line off Hans Crouse (4-1) to drive in Shea Langeliers. The hit was initially called a foul ball but was overturned by replay.
If the call had not been changed, Brown might have had at least a double, and Abraham Toro could have scored from first base, making it a two-run lead instead of being stopped at third.
“It was a tough, tough spot for him. It was just one of those things where the ball landed close to him. I’m glad they were able to review it,” Brown said.
Brown put the Athletics on the board in the second inning with a two-run home run to right-center on a full-count fastball. Brown is hitting .389 with four home runs and eight RBIs in 12 games since being recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on July 11.
“I think it was a great reset for Seth. He came back with a clear mind and more relaxed,” manager Mark Kotsay said about Brown. “He also has been more selective at the pitches he’s swinging at. He’s not chasing out of the zone as much and he’s getting results.”
