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Clips

(August 6, 2017)

August 6, 2017 Page 2 of 17

Today’s Clips Contents

FROM LOS ANGELES TIMES (Page 3)

Tyler Skaggs returns, but does little good for Angels in 5-0 loss to Athletics

Angels starter Matt Shoemaker potentially to have surgery for nerve pain in forearm

Angels mount comeback to beat A's, stretch winning streak to four and improve to

.500

FROM THE O.C. REGISTER (Page 7)

Miller: Not to be alarming or anything, but the Angels might be zombies

Angels give shaky Tyler Skaggs no run support in return, loss to A’s

Angels Notes: Ben Revere’s hot hitting won’t stop Cameron Maybin from replacing him

FROM ANGELS.COM (Page 12)

Nolasco set for duel with A's Manaea in finale

Halos can't solve A's Blackburn, fall in shutout

Simmons Jeter-esque with slick jump throw

Angels see positives in Skaggs' uneven return

Revere set for bench role when Maybin returns

Shoemaker weighing season-ending surgery

August 6, 2017 Page 3 of 17

FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

Tyler Skaggs returns, but does little good for Angels in 5-0 loss to Athletics

By Pedro Moura

In retaining their postseason dreams, the Angels have counted on welcoming back a number of injured

pitchers down this season’s stretch run. Saturday served as a reminder that the presence of those

pitchers guarantee little. The Angels must also allot time for them to find their form.

Left-hander Tyler Skaggs had not recaptured his form during his triple-A rehab assignment, but he made

his much-anticipated return to a major league mound anyway.

In his first start since April 28, Skaggs spun some of his signature sharp curveballs and pumped fastballs

up to 93 mph. On balance, he was ineffective in the Angels’ 5-0 loss to Oakland at Angel Stadium, lacking

in rhythm to last as long as he and the team hoped.

“Tonight was not exactly what we needed,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “But before he lost the

feel for his curveball, he made some really good pitches with good velocity the whole night. There are a

lot of positives we can take away from this.”

Rajai Davis swung at Skaggs’ first pitch of the game and shot it into right field for a single. When Skaggs

next threw home, Davis took off for second base and stole it easily.

Last August in Cleveland, Davis terrorized Skaggs with three of the Indians’ record seven stolen bases

against him. The pitcher was vexed to see it continue Saturday.

“I don’t know what his deal is,” Skaggs said. “He reads me like a book. It’s frustrating. It doesn’t matter

what I do. Maybe if I just throw it underhand over there, I’ll be OK.”

Skaggs then twirled two curves, both of which Marcus Semien missed to strike out swinging. After

walking Jed Lowrie, Skaggs threw away a two-strike curve to Khris Davis. The wild pitch scored the first

Athletic of the game. Skaggs induced a groundout and struck out Ryon Healy on three pitches to walk off

the mound.

Skaggs pitched a perfect second and a satisfactory third. In the fourth, he benefitted from an odd out

call on an apparent infield single, but still surrendered a ground-rule double, two singles and a walk,

netting Oakland two more runs.

The 29-pitch inning meant Skaggs’ total climbed to 83, and Scioscia provided him no more rope, calling

on three relievers for the five remaining innings.

“It was fun all the way until the fourth inning,” Skaggs said of his abbreviated evening.

August 6, 2017 Page 4 of 17

The Angels faced a rookie right-hander, Paul Blackburn, who was making his seventh major league start.

He does not throw hard nor wield a particularly sharp secondary pitch, but he sinks his fastball, and that

stymied the Angels.

Over Blackburn’s six innings, they pounded 13 balls into the ground, 10 of which Oakland converted into

outs. The 23-year-old struck out only one Angel but did not walk anyone. Against him, the Angels only

once had more than one man on base, in the third.

At its best, Skaggs’ curveball resembled the pitch in his past stretches of dominance. At its worst, it

made him susceptible to the wild pitches and stolen bases that have plagued him in the past.

The same was true in his three-start stint for triple-A Salt Lake, where he failed to finish five innings once

while recovering from an oblique strain. Scioscia noted before the game that Skaggs had sometimes lost

the desired release point for the pitch.

“He’ll be better next time,” Scioscia said. “At least he got out there.”

The Angels (55-56) had a four-game winning streak snapped and fell back to 2 1/2 games behind Kansas

City in the tepid chase for the American League’s second wild-card spot.

Angels starter Matt Shoemaker potentially to have surgery for nerve pain in forearm

By Pedro Moura

As he built his arm strength after another setback in his injured forearm, Angelsright-hander Matt

Shoemaker reported feeling great. But he continually cautioned that no barometer mattered until he

could throw without pain for extended periods.

He attempted that for the first time Friday. He threw a simulated inning in a bullpen session, then sat

down, waited, and went to throw another. A few pitches into the second inning, the familiar tug near

the top of his forearm returned.

“It’s one of those things where, right then and there, I just wanted to run through a wall,” Shoemaker

said. “It was a couple rough hours after the bullpen, me being angry and frustrated.”

A team physician broached the possibility of surgery, which Shoemaker said had not been discussed. He

has posterior interosseous nerve syndrome, meaning the nerve near the top of his forearm is being

compressed, causing discomfort.

Since he first felt pain in the forearm during a June 9 start in Houston, he has received anti-inflammatory

injections, undergone therapy and taken time to let it heal.

Nothing has worked.

August 6, 2017 Page 5 of 17

“In talking with Matt, he's got a big decision,” manager Mike Scioscia said Saturday. “But he’s come to

grips with the fact that he’ll have to have something done. When and where, I think there’s things he’s

looking at.”

Asked to clarify, Scioscia said, “It’ll be a surgery.”

“They’ve exhausted every other option,” the manager said.

Scioscia then said he did not want to speak for Shoemaker.

“Surgery is always your last resort,” Scioscia said. “He’s tried everything to get where he needs to be and

it’s just not happening right now.”

Shoemaker said he was going to take a “couple days” to research any other options and contact pitchers

who have undergone the surgery.

Shoemaker, 30, pitched in 14 games and had a 4.52 earned-run average. He wouldn’t speculate on

whether he could pitch again this season.

“I’m always optimistic,” Shoemaker said. “That’s been the goal. But if surgery happens, unfortunately

probably not.”

Short hops

Right-hander Alex Meyer is still playing light catch from no farther than 80 feet. Because he has not

pitched since July 19 and remains more than a week away from throwing off a mound, he is unlikely to

return before September. He has been suffering from shoulder inflammation. … Left fielder Cameron

Maybin played the second game of his scheduled rehab assignment for triple-A Salt Lake and is expected

back in Anaheim on Sunday, which would have him activated Monday. … The Angels optioned right-

hander Daniel Wright to Salt Lake to make room for Tyler Skaggs, their Saturday starter.

Angels mount comeback to beat A's, stretch winning streak to four and improve to .500

By Pedro Moura

The Angels are still not healthy, still receiving lackluster seasons from an array of hitters, still struggling

to capture the public’s interest, still unlikely to actually qualify for the postseason.

But they are undeniably making this thing interesting. They secured their fourth straight victory and

sixth in seven tries Friday, scoring six unanswered runs to come back to beat Oakland 8-6 at Angel

Stadium. They are 55-55, and only two games separate them from playoff position.

“Better late than never,” said Ben Revere, who scored Friday’s winning run.

It has become the team’s refrain this summer, enjoyed because of its duality: “We’re still in it.”

August 6, 2017 Page 6 of 17

Applicable to their 32 comeback victories and to their playoff odds, the Angels cite it in interviews and

tell it to their pregame visitors during batting practice, a subtle reminder to one another that they can

yet contend in 2017. With each passing week, the idea appears more plausible. They do not have to play

particularly good games, especially while hosting Philadelphia, Oakland and Baltimore on this

homestand. They can always come back, as they did Friday.

After Mike Trout hit an infield single to short in the first inning, Albert Pujols tapped into an inning-

ending double play. It was the 351st double-play groundout of his career, which holds grand

significance. It broke Pujols’ tie with Cal Ripken and staked him alone to the all-time record.

Making the first start of his career, the Angels’ Troy Scribner did not give up a hit until the second inning.

It was a three-run home run to Matt Chapman — a walk and an error preceded it — that gave

the Athletics an early lead. The Angels made it 3-2 with three singles, two errors, a sacrifice fly, and a hit

by pitch in their half of the second. With the bases loaded and two out, Trout flied out to left field.

Over the next three innings, they mustered two baserunners — both on doubles, by Trout and Kole

Calhoun. Neither man advanced.

Meantime, Scribner continued to struggle with his command. When he walked the first two Athletics

who batted in the fifth, manager Mike Scioscia pulled him in favor of fellow rookie Keynan Middleton,

who got a strikeout but then yielded back-to-back hits, the latter scoring two runs. Scioscia called on

deposed starter Jesse Chavez for the next two innings, and Chavez surrendered another run.

Oakland led 6-2 until an Andrelton Simmons walk started the Angels’ sixth-inning rally. Revere continued

it with a single through to right field. After C.J. Cron and Martin Maldonado hit into outs, Cliff

Pennington shot a single into center, scoring two to halve Oakland’s lead. Yunel Escobar singled and

Trout walked, loading the bases for Pujols.

He popped out in foul territory, but his teammates strung together another rally in the seventh. To

begin, Calhoun, Simmons and Revere drew consecutive walks against Oakland left-hander Daniel

Coulombe, precipitating his exit. Against right-hander Blake Treinen, the Angels did not immediately fare

as well. Cron swung at every pitch he saw and struck out on three pitches.

Up next, pinch-hitter Luis Valbuena punched a sinker into left field to drive in two and tie the score.

Pennington grounded to second for a forceout of Valbuena but got the go-ahead run to third base.

Escobar dribbled a grounder to third base, where Chapman fielded it in time to record the final out. But

Chapman bobbled the baseball and could not recover — the Angels had their lead.

Trout added a run to it with a bloop single, the team’s fourth hit in 18 at-bats with runners in scoring

position.

“We had tons of guys on tonight,” Scioscia said. “We only had four hits, but they were all big.”

August 6, 2017 Page 7 of 17

The Angels (55-55) gained a game in the American League wild-card chase. They now trail Kansas City by

only two games for the second spot, and the New York Yankees by three games for the first.

FROM THE OC REGISTER

Miller: Not to be alarming or anything, but the Angels might be zombies

By JEFF FLETCHER

ANAHEIM – They look remarkably alive, the Angels do, particularly for a team that’s dead.

At least their season was supposed to be over by now, right, the only thing worth reading being their sad

obituary as opposed to be their latest box score?

As recently as 10 days ago, the Angels were five games below .500, fourth in the five-team American

League West and buried even moreso in the wild-card standings.

They were done, to be sure, as expired as a jar of mayonnaise opened by Millard Fillmore.

Even worse, the Angels had disappeared so completely in the ever-expanding, ever-darkening shadow of

the omnipotent Dodgers that their caps needed headlamps instead of halos.

And, yet, here I am, sitting at Angel Stadium about to watch a game that has genuine meaning in baseball’s

postseason race.

This might not be an actual miracle. But it’s not every day that the residents of a graveyard go this far past

curfew.

“I don’t know if I’m going to say ‘surprised,’ ” Manager Mike Scioscia explained Saturday, before his

suddenly streaking team faced Oakland. “Our guys are playing hard. It’s fun to watch them.”

It’s also impossible to ignore them, as much as there’s an urge to move on to the Rams or the Chargers or

Sam Darnold or Josh Rosen or any one of the 98 or so other things happening in sports around here.

The Angels simply won’t go away, refusing even to be drown out by the clouts of Cody Bellinger, the

clamor of Yu Darvish or the commotion of the Dodgers’ latest ridiculous winning rally.

The Angels won’t be silenced by the Angels, either, overcoming losses both on and off the field to scramble

back to .500 and within two games – honest, that’s how close they were before the first pitch against the

A’s – of a playoff berth.

Coming out of the All-Star break, they dropped three of four. Their most recent trip began by being swept

in Cleveland. They just lost twice in the span of six days when their closer surrendered two game-ending

grand slams.

August 6, 2017 Page 8 of 17

And, yet, here they are, the Angels taking advantage of a weak schedule to enter Saturday having won four

in a row and six of their past seven, becoming the wildest card in either of baseball’s two wild-card races.

“It’s not a fluke,” Scioscia insisted. “I think we’re going to play better baseball, too. We’re where we

expected to be.”

The Angels have survived losing their best player for six weeks, their best starting pitcher for all but one

appearance and all three of their spring training closer options for varying lengths of extended time.

They’re still here despite lacking a legitimate No. 1 starter, receiving the fewest RBI in baseball from the

cleanup spot and dragging along an offense that, in general and en masse, has underperformed.

“Right now, seeing a goal within reach, is where we wanted to be,” Scioscia said. “How we got here or

some of the guys who aren’t here really doesn’t factor in…in where we need to go the next 50 games.”

The Angels have won enough so far thanks to a bullpen Scioscia described as “extraordinary,” a defense

that rarely gives away outs and a stitched-together rotation that has produced 48 quality starts.

For perspective, that’s one more than the Dodgers and four more than the Astros, and, on second thought,

perhaps this is something of a miracle.

“We’re moving forward,” Scioscia said of a rotation ravaged by injury the past two seasons. “We’ve had

more chances to win games (lately).”

There’s also this: at MLB.com, a columnist just wrote about the MVP qualifications of shortstop Andrelton

Simmons, who, according to Baseball-Reference, is second among all position players in WAR.

The only one ahead of Simmons is Houston’s lovable Jose Altuve, who has his own national TV

commercials and is a favorite to win the AL MVP, along with the Yankees’ Aaron Judge, who hits home

runs that land beyond the horizon, that’s all.

The Angels have preserved so well that they’re now in the most interesting of positions, given the raging

level of expectation enveloping the Dodgers, especially since their trade-deadline acquisition of Darvish.

Let’s say the Angels’ wild-card chances finally go to pieces and do so as quickly as they’ve put themselves

back in the race.

And let’s say the Dodgers, as absolutely everyone is now forecasting, advance to the World Series, where

they lose Game 7 in extra innings because someone on the opposition does something flatly historic.

Which of our two local teams would then face a long, cruel offseason of questions about being staggering

failures?

Hint: it wouldn’t be the one that, at the trade deadline, made a single move, dealing away an established

reliever for a low-level minor leaguer.

August 6, 2017 Page 9 of 17

And, yet, here we all are, watching that team surge in August anyway, the Angels’ spirit to date undying,

just like their season.

Angels give shaky Tyler Skaggs no run support in return, loss to A’s

By CLAY FOWLER

ANAHEIM — The expectation was for Tyler Skaggs to aid the Angels’ playoff push, not upset their

improbable balance.

The rust on his left arm was apparent in his first start since April 28 and the Angels’ attempt to move into

possession of a wild-card berth during an opportunistic homestand was lost with a 5-0 loss to the Oakland

A’s on Saturday night.

Skaggs (1-2) threw 83 pitches in just four innings as the AL West’s last-place team ended the Angels’ win

streak at four games. The Angels, who began Saturday night two games out of the AL’s final wild-card spot,

finish their three-game series with the A’s on Sunday and close out their nine-game homestand with three

against the Orioles.

A surge from the Angels’ offense – it scored five or more runs in seven consecutive games – ended with a

simultaneous swoon by the defense Saturday night.

After Skaggs allowed three runs on six hits with a pair of walks and two wild pitches in four innings, a pair

of Angels errors in the sixth inning gave Oakland a 5-0 lead.

The Angels, who were shut out for the first time sine July 7, advanced just one runner past second base

while A’s starter Paul Blackburn (3-1) scattered five hits over 6 2/3 innings with no walks.

There was reason to believe the Angels momentum would continue with the return of Skaggs after he

posted a 1.42 ERA in his last three major league starts before an oblique strain landed him on the disabled

list April 28.

To the contrary, there were plenty of reasons for concern after Skaggs’ shaky rehabilitation outings for

Triple-A Salt Lake, where he allowed 10 runs on 14 hits in three starts that totaled 10 innings.

In addition, it’s difficult to know what to expect from the pitcher who missed nearly two years after

undergoing Tommy John surgery August 13, 2014 and experiencing shoulder trouble after recovering from

the elbow surgery. He returned in July of last season and posted a respectable 4.17 ERA in 10 starts in

2016.

“We had high expectations he was going to come in and make his pitches,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia

said. “Couple of his outings in Triple-A obviously some things got away from him. Tonight was not exactly

what we needed, but in between, before he lost some of the feel of his curveball, he made some really

good pitches, good velocity all night.”

The first pitch of the game was ominous for Skaggs, who gave up his first run in equally concerning fashion.

August 6, 2017 Page 10 of 17

The A’s Rajai Davis led off the game with a single, stole two bases and scored on a wild pitch.

Davis’ run in a 21-pitch first inning was the limit of the damage until a two-run, two-out rally in the fourth

inning ended Skaggs’ night.

After retiring the first two batters of the inning, a double, a walk and a pair of singles by the A’s earned

them a 3-0 lead. Dustin Garneau’s bases-loaded single scored both runs in the inning that escalated

Skaggs’ pitch count to 83.

“I got two quick outs and probably let my mind slip away,” Skaggs said. “Tried to throw a few change-ups

and got out of my game instead of just pounding the zone with fastballs and that’s my mistake.”

Things unraveled for the Angels in the sixth inning when a pair of throwing errors with two outs cost them

a run each and increased the A’s lead to 5-0.

With runners on first and second, Angels third baseman Yunel Escobar sailed a throw to second base into

right field, allowing one run across.

The A’s victimized the Angels on a double steal one batter later, prompting a throw to second base and an

errant throw home by Kaleb Cowart.

The A’s bullpen allowed just one hit in 2 1/3 innings of relief.

Kole Calhoun was the only player in the top six of the Angels batting order to collect more than one hit.

Mike Trout is just two hits from reaching 1,000 in his career after going 1 for 4 with an infield single on

Saturday.

Ben Revere went 2 for 3 to extended his hit streak to 10 games, but the Angels left fielder will be replaced

in the lineup when Cameron Maybin returns next week.

Angels Notes: Ben Revere’s hot hitting won’t stop Cameron Maybin from replacing him

By CLAY FOWLER

ANAHEIM — There will be no awkwardness between Cameron Maybin and Ben Revere when the Angels

left fielder returns from injury to supplant his hot-hitting replacement.

Revere, who is hitting .375 over his last 11 games while Maybin recovers from a sprained knee suffered

July 18, has kept the lines of communication open with his teammate.

“I told him to take his time coming back,” Revere joked. “No seriously, of course you want more bats. The

sooner he gets back, the sooner he’ll be in the lineup and I’ll be right there to support him. That’s why I’ve

been in this league for so long, being a good teammate.”

Angels manager Mike Scioscia matter-of-factly stated Maybin would indeed replace Revere in left field

when he returns, which is expected to be Monday.

August 6, 2017 Page 11 of 17

Revere extended his hit streak to 10 games against the A’s on Saturday and was hitting .337 over his

previous 26 games, raising his average 52 points to .255.

When Maybin twisted his knee on an awkward slide into second base 2 1/2 weeks ago, he was hitting .236,

but his 25 steals were the fourth-highest total in baseball.

Revere, 29, was an everyday player who finished each season from 2012-15 hitting at least .294 before an

oblique injury last season as a member of the Nationals led to a disappointing 2016 and the acceptance of

a backup role with the Angels.

The last month is bringing back familiar feelings.

“Have I felt like my old self before I tore my oblique? Yes,” Revere said. “This year I had moments where it

was there, but then something just clicked. Some hitters just need that moment where it clicks. You find

that rhythm and confidence and you feel like you can hit any pitcher in the league.”

Shoemaker leaning toward surgery

Surgery appears imminent for Matt Shoemaker in the opinion of his manager.

The Angels starting pitcher has experienced symptoms of radial nerve compression in his forearm since his

last start on June 14. His latest recurrence of the symptoms while throwing a bullpen on Friday may have

been the last straw.

“He’s come to grips with the fact that he’ll have to have something done,” Scioscia said. “I’m not going to

commit him to having (surgery), but in the conversations we’ve had…it seems like that’s where he’s

leaning. I think he’s exhausted his other options. He’s tried everything to get where he needs to be and it’s

just not happening right now.”

Shoemaker said on Friday he didn’t think the surgery would cost him any part of the 2018 season, but

admittedly wasn’t fully versed on the procedure.

Heaney nearing return

Andrew Heaney is scheduled to make his second consecutive rehabilitation start for Triple-A Salt Lake on

Sunday.

The left-hander is expected to throw 80 pitches in what could be his final start before returning to the

major leagues after undergoing Tommy John surgery on July 1, 2016, a procedure originally expected to

cost him the entire 2017 season.

Heaney pitched five innings on Tuesday for Salt Lake and gave up three runs on five hits following three

rehab appearances with the Angels’ rookie-league Arizona club.

Elbow ligament replacement surgery typically requires 14 months of recovery time, which would have

landed Heaney’s return in September.

August 6, 2017 Page 12 of 17

FROM ANGELS.COM

Nolasco set for duel with A's Manaea in finale

By Joshua Thornton / MLB.com

Angels righty Ricky Nolasco and A's lefty Sean Manaea will face off Sunday afternoon to finish a three-

game series between the American League West rivals.

Manaea will be looking to bounce back from a rough outing against the Giants in his last start, when he

gave up six runs (two earned) on nine hits in three-plus innings. The lefty has been the A's best starter

this season, leading the staff with eight wins a team-low 3.88 ERA among starters.

Full Game Coverage

Nolasco picked up his fifth win in his last start. holding the Phillies to one run and striking out five over

six innings. The 34-year-old veteran is 4-3 in his career against the A's with a 3.26 ERA in 10 starts.

Things to know about this game

• Nolasco has walked 10 of 255 right-handed batters he's faced this season, which ranks 15th out of 167

qualified starters in the Majors.

• Albert Pujols and Mike Trout are both on the verge of reaching career milestones. With 608 career

home runs, Pujols is one shy of matching Sammy Sosa for the most homers all-time by a foreign-born

player, while Trout is two hits shy of 1,000 for his career.

• Manaea has thrown his changeup 27.4 percent of the time on the first pitch of at-bats this season.

Halos can't solve A's Blackburn, fall in shutout

By Maria Guardado and Joshua Thornton / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- Rookie right-hander Paul Blackburn tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings and newly acquired

catcher Dustin Garneau drove in a pair of runs in his A's debut to lead Oakland to a 5-0 shutout of the

Angels on Saturday night at Angel Stadium.

With the win, the A's snapped their seven-game losing streak in Anaheim and evened their three-game

series against the Angels, who saw their four-game win streak end. The Halos (55-56) dipped below .500

and fell 2 1/2 games behind the Royals for the second American League Wild Card spot. Kansas City's

game against the Mariners on Saturday was postponed due to rain.

Full Game Coverage

August 6, 2017 Page 13 of 17

Blackburn held the Angels' hot offense to just five hits while walking none and striking out one, lowering

his ERA to 2.60 over seven starts. The 23-year-old pitched into the seventh and retired the first two

batters he faced before allowing a two-out single to Ben Revere. He departed with a 3-0 lead after

throwing a career-high 112 pitches.

"He's been about as consistent as anybody we've had," A's manager Bob Melvin said of Blackburn. "He's

a guy that you really look forward to getting on the mound now. You know defensively that he's going to

throw strikes and he's going to put the ball in play and guys enjoy playing behind him."

Garneau, who was claimed off waivers from the Rockies on Friday, collected his first hit for the A's in the

fourth, lining a two-run single that pushed Oakland's lead to 3-0. The A's later capitalized on throwing

errors by Angels infielders Yunel Escobar and Kaleb Cowart to add a pair of runs in the sixth.

"That was fun," Garneau said of his A's debut. "Just a whirlwind of emotions going from club to a new

club and trying to learn everybody and the pitching staff as fast as I can."

Angels left-hander Tyler Skaggs lasted only four innings in his first start in the Majors since April 28,

surrendering three runs on six hits while walking two and striking out three in the 83-pitch outing.

Skaggs was activated from the 60-day disabled list on Saturday after missing three months with an

oblique strain.

"Tonight was not exactly what we needed, but before he lost the feel of his curveball, he made some

really good pitches," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Good velocity the whole night. So there are a

lot of positives we can take away from this."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Rajai revs A's early: Rajai Davis wreaked some havoc for Skaggs in the first inning, opening the game

with a first-pitch single and stealing second and third before scoring on a wild pitch to give the A's a

quick 1-0 lead.

"When he's on the bases he creates havoc," Melvin said.

"He's had like seven stolen bases off me, so I don't know what his deal is," Skaggs said of Davis. "He

knows me really well. It's frustrating. It's something I need to figure out. He reads me like a book."

Garneau comes through: Garneau padded the A's lead with a two-run, two-out single in the fourth.

Skaggs retired the first two batters he faced but then fell into trouble after Chad Pinder doubled, Matt

Chapman walked and Mark Canha singled to load the bases. Garneau capitalized by dumping 2-2

curveball into left field, knocking in a pair of runs and making it 3-0.

REPLAY REVIEW

The Athletics challenged a call in the fourth, after the club thought first baseman Ryon Healybeat out

Escobar's throw to first. The throw moved Angels first baseman Luis Valbuena off the bag for a split

second, prompting the challenge. After a review, the original call on the field stood and Healy was called

out.

August 6, 2017 Page 14 of 17

WHAT'S NEXT

Athletics: Oakland closes out its three-game series against the Angels with lefty Sean Manaea on the

mound Sunday. The southpaw is 8-6 on the year, with a team-low 3.88 ERA. First pitch is slated for 12:37

p.m. PT.

Angels: The Angels will send right-hander Ricky Nolasco (5-12, 4.90 ERA) to the mound on Sunday as

they close out their three-game series with the A's at Angel Stadium. Nolasco is 4-3 with a 3.26 ERA in 10

career starts against Oakland.

Simmons Jeter-esque with slick jump throw

Angels' 'tremendous' shortstop pulls off 2 tough plays

By Maria Guardado / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons channeled his inner Derek Jeter on Saturday evening,

executing an impressive jump throw to retire Mark Canha in the second inning of the Halos' 5-0 loss to

the A's at Angel Stadium.

Simmons backhanded Canha's 101-mph grounder toward the hole before leaping and firing to first

baseman Luis Valbuena in time for the final out of the inning.

Full Game Coverage

• Under-radar MVP pick? Consider Andrelton

The Angels have gotten used to seeing such plays from Simmons, a two-time Gold Glove winner with the

Braves. He made a similar defensive play in the hole in the seventh, backhanding a grounder off the bat

of Khris Davis and firing a throw to first for the first out of the inning.

"We've seen it before," manager Mike Scioscia said. "We saw it the other night. We saw it tonight again

in the hole a couple times. Andrelton makes these plays that are really, really difficult look so effortless.

He's blessed with a really strong arm. He's got a really quick, accurate arm and an accurate release, and

he can throw from whatever angles he needs to. To make those plays that he made and make them look

so easy, I think it just highlights the tremendous shortstop that he is."

Widely regarded as the best defensive shortstop in baseball, Simmons currently leads all Major League

players at his position with 19 defensive runs saved and a 10.3 ultimate zone rating, according to

Fangraphs.

Angels see positives in Skaggs' uneven return

Starter allows 3 runs over 4 innings in first outing since April

By Maria Guardado / MLB.com

August 6, 2017 Page 15 of 17

ANAHEIM -- The Angels had hoped that left-hander Tyler Skaggs' return to their rotation would signal

the first wave of impactful reinforcements to their beleaguered pitching staff, but Skaggs delivered an

uneven performance on Saturday night in his first Major League start since April 28.

Skaggs needed 83 pitches to get through four innings and took the loss after the Angels were shut out by

the A's, 5-0, snapping their four-game win streak at Angel Stadium. The 26-year-old, who was activated

from the 60-day disabled list on Saturday after missing more than three months with an oblique strain,

allowed three runs on six hits while walking two and striking out three.

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"We had high expectations that he was going to come in and make his pitches," manager Mike Scioscia

said. "His bullpens were good. He felt good. A couple of his outings in Triple-A, obviously, some things

got away from him. Tonight was not exactly what we needed, but before he lost the feel of his curveball,

he made some really good pitches."

Skaggs' night began ominously, as he surrendered a first-pitch single to Rajai Davis, who went on to steal

second and third before scoring on a wild pitch to give the A's an early 1-0 lead.

"He's had like seven stolen bases off me, so I don't know what his deal is," Skaggs said. "He knows me

really well. It's frustrating. It's something I need to figure out. He reads me like a book."

Skaggs navigated the second and third innings without allowing further damage, but he said he started

to lose command of his curveball -- his best pitch -- in the middle innings. He retired the first two batters

he faced to start the fourth, but then yielded a ground-rule double, a walk and an infield single to load

the bases for the A's. Skaggs subsequently left a 2-2 curveball up to Dustin Garneau, who smacked it to

left field for a two-out, two-run single that put the Angels in a 3-0 hole.

"It was fun until the fourth inning," Skaggs said. "I got two quick outs and then probably let my mind slip

away. Tried to throw a few changeups and got out of my game instead of just pounding the zone with

fastballs. It's my mistake, but at the same time, I felt strong. I felt good. I could have gotten out of that

inning with no runs, and I made a bad pitch."

Skaggs had logged a 7.24 ERA over 13 2/3 innings in four rehab starts, but the Angels felt he was ready

to return to the Majors and aid the club's postseason push down the stretch. Their loss on Saturday

dropped them 2 1/2 games behind the Royals for the second American League Wild Card spot, but the

Halos still saw some bright spots in Skaggs' outing.

"There are a lot of positives we can take away from this," Scioscia said. "Hopefully Tyler will work hard in

his bullpen and come out here in his next start and be a little more effective and efficient."

Revere set for bench role when Maybin returns

Angels outfielder has hit .337 over his last 26 games

By Maria Guardado / MLB.com

August 6, 2017 Page 16 of 17

ANAHEIM -- Ben Revere has emerged as one of the Angels' hottest hitters over the past month, but he's

on track to shift back to a part-time role when Cameron Maybin comes off the disabled list and reclaims

his starting spot in left field.

Revere received the opportunity to play more consistently after Maybin went down with a sprained

right knee on July 19, and he responded by heating up at the plate, batting .337 across his last 26 games

entering Saturday and boosting his average from .203 to .255. The 29-year-old outfielder extended his

hitting streak to a season-high nine games on Friday night and scored the go-ahead run to help the

Angels rally for an 8-6 win over the A's.

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Maybin began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday and could be activated as early as

Monday. Manager Mike Scioscia said he plans to insert Maybin back into the Angels' lineup as soon as

he returns, likely pushing Revere back to the bench. While Scioscia will have to juggle Maybin and

Revere's playing time and give them both a chance to continue to get at-bats, he said it will be a good

problem to have for the Angels, who have struggled to get consistent production for most of the season.

"It hasn't been very often this year where you have guys on the bench that you know could be

contributing in the lineup in that game," Scioscia said Saturday. "Our depth has been challenged on the

offensive side, so to have a couple guys swinging the bat well on the bench that aren't starting that day

is going to be a plus. I think it's going to be important to keep both guys that are swinging the bats, get

them out there enough so they can stay sharp and contribute. But also, if you need them at some point

coming off the bench, you have that option."

Maybin, 30, has been a key spark plug in the leadoff spot for the Angels this season, batting .238 with six

home runs, 21 RBIs and 25 stolen bases in 75 games before getting hurt.

Shoemaker leaning toward surgery

Scioscia said right-hander Matt Shoemaker will likely undergo season-ending surgery to address radial

nerve compression in his forearm, although an official decision has yet to be made.

"He's got a big decision, but I think he's come to grips with the fact that he'll have to have something

done," Scioscia said. "I'm not going to commit him to having it, but in conversations we've had and in

talking with the medical staff, it seems like where he's leaning."

Worth noting

• Second baseman Kaleb Cowart returned to the Angels' lineup on Saturday night against the A's after

missing one game with groin tightness.

• The Angels optioned right-hander Daniel Wright to Triple-A Salt Lake to clear a spot on the roster for

left-hander Tyler Skaggs, who started against the A's on Saturday.

August 6, 2017 Page 17 of 17

Shoemaker weighing season-ending surgery

Angels starter has setback in rehab from forearm injury

By Maria Guardado / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- Angels right-hander Matt Shoemaker experienced renewed symptoms in his ailing forearm

while throwing a bullpen session on Friday and is now considering season-ending surgery to repair the

injury.

Shoemaker, who has been sidelined since June 15 with radial nerve compression, felt his forearm flare

up in the middle of his up-down bullpen, which is meant to simulate breaks between innings.

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"Right then and there, I just wanted to run through a wall," said Shoemaker, who had a similar setback

after making a rehab start on July 4. "We thought everything was healing. Everything felt great, but as

soon as we kind of got going with more pitches, everything kind of came back."

Shoemaker subsequently visited a team doctor, who broached the possibility of surgery. Shoemaker said

he plans to weigh his options and speak with the Angels medical staff before making his decision. He

said the surgery would likely entail a recovery period of at least two months, eliminating his chances of

pitching again in 2017.

"Today was a couple rough hours after the bullpen," Shoemaker said. "Just me being angry and

frustrated. I'm trying to see if there's anything else we can do, given that surgery is an option. We're just

trying to do everything we can to avoid that."

Shoemaker saw his 2016 season end abruptly after he was hit on the head by a line drive last September

and spent most of the offseason rehabbing from the traumatic injury. Still, Shoemaker arrived to Spring

Training healthy and logged a 4.52 ERA over 14 starts for the Angels before landing on the disabled list

two months ago.

"That's tough," manager Mike Scioscia said following the Angels' 8-6 win over the A's. "You feel for the

guy. We know Matty. We know how hard he's going to work, and he'll be back. It's definitely

disappointing, not only from a team perspective, but also from a personal perspective, of everyone

knowing how hard Matt worked not only to get to the big leagues, but get back this year."