Oakland A’s Game #18: A’s lose to Angels’ Dylan Bundy again, 6-0

Back in 2011, Dylan Bundy was the No. 4 overall draft pick by the Baltimore Orioles, but he never panned out into the star they’d hoped. The 27-year-old right-hander moved to the Los Angeles Angels this season, and the change of scenery has been a godsend so far.

Bundy tossed seven shutout innings against the A’s on Tuesday in a 6-0 victory for the Halos. It’s already the second time Bundy has beaten Oakland this season, and also the Angels’ second straight triumph in this series in Anaheim.

*** Game Thread #1 | Game Thread #2 ***

The green and gold had no answers for Bundy in this game. He struck out 10 batters and let through just four hits and one walk, allowing two runners to reach scoring position. There were only a few pieces of hard contact against him, and 17 of his 103 pitches went for swinging strikes. It was even better than his previous outing, which gave the Halos their only win during the season’s opening weekend.

• Bundy, 2 gms vs. OAK: 13⅔ ip, 1 run, 17 Ks, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 0 HR, 7 hits

Meanwhile, A’s starter Mike Fiers was solid through the first three innings but then got lit up in the 4th. The Angels blasted three homers against him in that frame, for a total of five runs, thanks to Anthony Rendon, Jason Castro, and Brian Goodwin. They added another in the 6th, by David Fletcher off Daniel Mengden in mop-up long relief, but then showed mercy to Lou Trivino in a scoreless 8th.

• Fiers: 3⅔ ip, 5 runs, 2 Ks, 2 BB, 3 HR, 7 hits, 76 piches (48 strikes)
• Mengden: 3⅓ ip, 1 run, 2 Ks, 2 BB 1 HR, 5 hits, 58 pitches (39 strikes)

Among Oakland’s lineup, Robbie Grossman led the way by getting on base three times. He drew two walks and notched a double, but each time he was stranded, including twice in scoring position. Marcus Semien and Ramon Laureano each reached twice (including another HBP for Laureano), and Tony Kemp also added a single. They got into scoring position in three innings but went 0-for-4, and they reached base in seven different frames but couldn’t extend any of them into scoring rallies.

Normally there would be more details coming, but there’s not much more to say about this game. Every season there are a few all-around stinkers, and this was one of them. The hitting was bad, the pitching was bad, and the other team played way better. But the A’s are still great and they’re still in first place, so go get ‘em again tomorrow afternoon in the series finale, with Chris Bassitt taking on Griffin Canning at 1:10 p.m.