Butler, Rooker go deep and the Athletics beat the Angels 7-5

OAKLAND, Calif. — Lawrence Butler and Brent Rooker hit home runs, Mitch Spence gave up one hit in 5 1/3 innings and the Oakland Athletics beat the Los Angeles Angels 7-5 on Tuesday night.

Brett Harris added a two-run double for Oakland, which had lost seven of its previous eight games and 17 of 21.

Nolan Schanuel had two hits and four RBIs for Los Angeles.

Butler, with a three-run shot, and Rooker knocked off Angels starter José Soriano in a four-run fourth inning.

“Obviously it’s great to see young people … producing. It’s been a while since I hit a three-run homer, so that’s always nice,” manager Mark Kotsay said.

Rooker’s 16th homer came on an 0-2 curve that Soriano left over the plate. Butler’s crossfield shot just missed the left field goal post.

Kotsay attributed a mechanical adjustment to Butler’s home run.

“It’s going to be processed so he can double it, but that swing took the three-run homer, shorter, less head movement, more direct to the baseball and that’s how the result happened,” he said.

Harris’ two-run double in the sixth capped a three-run inning in which Oakland extended its lead to 7-1.

Los Angeles pulled within 7-3 in the seventh on Schanuel’s two-run single.

Schanuel doubled in a run off A’s closer Mason Miller, who gave up two runs in the ninth in a no-save situation.

Spence (5-4) gave up one run on six hits to snap a five-game winless streak. He struck out five and did not give up a walk. He didn’t walk more than once in seven consecutive starts.

Soriano (4-6) gave up four runs on three hits over four innings. The hard-throwing right-hander was activated from the injured list earlier in the day after missing three weeks with an abdominal infection. He was at a 65 shot limit.

Soriano’s comeback effort from injury was an encouraging sign for the Angels, manager Ron Washington said, noting that Soriano will likely see his pitch limit increased to 85 in his next start.

“He’s back,” Washington said. “We’ll see where he goes from here, but I was happy with the way he threw the ball. You always wish you never give up a run, but it happens.

“I thought he did really well there.”

INSTRUCTOR’S ROOM

Angles: Placed RHP Andrew Wantz (right elbow inflammation) on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to Monday).

Athletics: RHP Ross Stripling (right elbow strain) and RHP Paul Blackburn (stress reaction in fifth metatarsal of right foot) could begin rehab assignments this week, manager Mark Kotsay said. … RHP Tyler Ferguson and 3B Brett Harris were recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas. … LHP Sean Newcomb and SS Aledmys Díaz were designated for assignment.

IT FOLLOWS

Angels: Davis Daniel (1-0, 0.00 ERA) in his final start Thursday became the first pitcher to throw at least eight innings with eight or more strikeouts in his first career start since Colorado starter Jason Jennings he did so on August 23. 2001 against the New York Mets.

Athletics: RHP Joey Estes (2-3, 5.24) struck out eight and walked two in 5 2/3 innings in a 5-2 loss to Los Angeles on June 26.

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