ANAHEIM - Some unfortunate trends are reoccurring for the A’s, many of them converging Tuesday in an 8-2 loss to the Angels - who have taken the first two games of the series despite Mike Trout’s absence.
Oakland continued to have trouble hitting with men in scoring position. Errors remain a year-long issue. And Chris Smith gave up more homers.
Smith, who made his first start this season at the age of 36 after spending much of his career as a reliever, gave up five runs in the first inning, including a three-run blast by C.J. Cron, and he later allowed a solo homer by Martin Maldonado that traveled 465 feet, according to Statcast.