OAKLAND, Calif., July 12 (UPI) -- Matt Murton had a two-run single during a six-run third inning Friday and the Oakland A's produced 15 hits in running away from the Los Angeles Angels 9-2.
The Angels dominated the American League West during the first half of the season, but their lead over Oakland has been reduced to four games.
After the Los Angeles pitching staff was depleted during a high-scoring, four-game series with Texas, Oakland took advantage with a big inning. The Athletics also got a two-hit, seven-inning performance by Sean Gallagher.
Gallagher (4-4) struck out seven in his Oakland debut. He came to the A's in the six-player trade that sent starting pitcher Rich Harden to the Chicago Cubs.
Oakland trailed by one before sending a dozen men to the plate in the third. Emil Brown and Carlos Gonzalez both doubled home a run in the inning and Daric Barton had an RBI base hit before Murton drove in two with a bases-loaded single.
The final run of the inning came on a single by Jack Cust.
Jack Hannahan homered in the fourth.
Jon Garland (8-6) took the loss, allowing seven runs on 10 hits in 2 2/3 innings.
