Josh Lowe’s – Josh Lowe hit his first career grand slam as the Los Angeles Angels beat the Oakland Athletics 4-1 on Sunday. Sam Aldegheri gave the Angels five innings with one run, and José Fermin and Samy Natera Jr. closed it out after Oakland left runners stranded.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Josh Lowe watched two pitches come and go, fouling off a pair of 1-2 offerings before turning a high cutter into a 403-foot shot that landed in the right-field corner.
It was Lowe’s first career grand slam, and it arrived at exactly the right time for the Los Angeles Angels, who held on for a 4-1 victory over the Athletics on Sunday.
The homer came off starter Aaron Civale in the second inning, with the bases loaded. For all his recent work. it was a breakthrough moment: over his six-year career. Lowe was 10 for 33 with 27 RBIs when the bases were loaded. but had managed only two extra-base hits in those situations before finding the gap this time.
On the mound, Sam Aldegheri improved to 3-3, allowing one run and five hits over five innings. He struck out four. José Fermin followed with two scoreless innings, and Samy Natera Jr. closed it out by getting four outs for his first major league save.
Oakland’s offense didn’t click the way it needed to. Joey Meneses drove in Jeff McNeil with a sacrifice fly in the fifth, but the Athletics finished with six hits. They went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position and left eight on base overall.
The game nearly tightened in the eighth. After two straight walks opened the frame, Oakland tried to claw back into it. Ryan Zeferjahn struck out the next two batters before giving way to Natera, who retired Nick Kurtz on a flyball.
Civale fell to 5-5 after allowing seven hits in five innings, striking out two. José Suarez threw two scoreless innings in relief.
Next, the Athletics host the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers for a three-game series beginning Monday night. The opener pairs LHP Gage Jump (3-1, 2.04 ERA) against LHP Eric Lauer (3-5, 4.87).
For the Angels, RHP Ryan Johnson (1-2, 8.84 ERA) starts Monday night in Seattle against RHP George Kirby (6-7, 3.94) to begin a three-game set.
Angels Athletics Josh Lowe grand slam Sam Aldegheri Samy Natera Jr. Aaron Civale Sunday game
403 feet, that’s insane. Angels finally waking up I guess.
I swear Oakland always leaves runners on base like it’s a hobby. 0 for 8 with RISP is just brutal.
So was the grand slam like 403 feet INTO the lake or something? Cuz right field corner sounds like wind or whatever. Also Aldegheri improved to 3-3… that’s not a big deal right? It still ended 4-1.
Wow first career grand slam and it happened with the bases loaded off Aaron Civale?? That’s crazy timing. And then the bullpen just shuts it down, meanwhile Oakland can’t buy a hit with guys on. I’m just shocked the Dodgers series matters more than this though, like why do they always play back-to-back games and expect everyone to be fresh?