A’s can’t complete sweep of Angels, allow five runs in disastrous eighth inning

OAKLAND — With the A’s leading by three runs heading into the top of the eighth inning, manager Mark Kotsay began to employ a familiar formula: Lucas Erceg for the eighth, All-Star Mason Miller for the ninth.

Miller never took the mound. And it wasn’t because Oakland tacked on insurance runs.

Erceg failed to retire any of the four batters that he faced, setting the stage for the Angels’ five-run eighth inning that would result in the A’s losing, 8-5, on Sunday afternoon at the Oakland Coliseum.

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Oakland’s set-up man had pitched well to close out the first half, not allowing a single run in his last nine appearances prior to the All-Star Break. But Sunday, his first appearance since July 12, would not be his day as he departed without recording a single out, the fourth time in his career he’s had an outless outing.

Logan O’Hoppe singled off Erceg to set the table. Zach Neto did, too. Following a wild pitch, Erceg hit Brandon Drury, then walked Jo Adell with the bases loaded, cutting Oakland’s advantage to 5-3. Manager Mark Kotsay removed Erceg and called upon Scott Alexander to put out a bases-loaded, no-out fire. Alexander had no such luck.

Nolan Schanuel singled home a run. Oakland’s lead was sliced to 5-4. Anthony Rendon grounded into a force out. Game tied. Kevin Pillar doubled home two, and Los Angeles led, 7-5. Following Pillar’s two-run double, Kotsay went to Michel Otañez, his third reliever of the frame, who struck out Taylor Ward and Willie Calhoun to finally end the inning. By the time the A’s walked off the field, though, the game’s calculus had shifted too much in the Angels’ direction.