OAKLAND, Calif., July 17 (UPI) -- Gio Gonzalez pitched seven shutout innings and Conor Jackson belted a grand slam Sunday, powering the Oakland Athletics' 9-1 rout of the Los Angeles Angels.
Gonzalez (9-6) scattered four hits and two walks, improving to 14-3 in 24 home starts dating back to last season. The all-star left-hander tossed 72 of his 105 pitches for strikes, fanning eight Angels batters.
Jackson's blast highlighted an eight-run first inning for the A's, in which they sent 14 men to the plate, drew four walks and collected three hits off Angels starter Joel Pineiro (5-4).
Hideki Matsui provided a two-run single and Jemile Weeks chipped in an RBI hit during the big frame, which enabled the A's to take three wins in their four-game series against Los Angeles.
Pineiro managed to get only one out before being yanked, yielding eight runs (seven earned).
Bobby Wilson notched the Angels' only RBI.
