The Athletics got back in the win column Thursday with the kind of spring training final that looks like it belongs on a scoreboard at Allegiant Stadium.
Oakland outlasted the Los Angeles Angels 16-11 at Tempe Diablo Stadium behind five home runs and a second inning that turned into a full-on avalanche. The A’s scored eight in the second, then had to keep scoring because the late innings turned into a bullpen stress test.
Five of six A’s pitchers allowed at least one earned run, and Oakland still walked away with the win because the bats never stopped.
Second inning is the swing, and it is loud
The A’s built the lead with patience and power. Austin Wynns opened the second with a double, then a run of walks started the damage.
With the bases loaded, Tyler Soderstrom crushed a grand slam to right-center. Brent Rooker followed with a homer to left-center. Two batters later, Wynns went deep to left.