By: Malaika Bobino

Oakland, CA – Some might say, it was a pay back game after the stellar performance from Jered Weaver last night.  It was the A’s turn to showcase their talents behind Bartolo Colon.

In a 10-4 victory over the Anaheim Angels.  Oakland’s offense exploded leaving no room for a comeback.  The A’s snapped a three-game losing streak and are back in the Wild Card race.

Colon set a new career-high with 22 1/3 scoreless innings before an unearned Halos’ run was scored in the seventh.  He allowed only four hits through seven frames.  No walks were issued and striking out five was enough for a great performance.

“I don’t think Bartolo did anything that we haven’t seen before,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.  “Pitched a strong game, good movement, used both sides of the plate and pounded strikes.”

Jonny Gomes blasted a solo home run to left field to give Oakland an early one run lead in the first frame.  C.J. Wilson loaded the bases by giving up a single, base hit and a walk.  He got out of the jam on a fielder’s choice put out and struck out Derek Norris to end the inning.

But the opportunity presented itself once again for the A’s.  In the third, this time Wilson lost his command on the mound and Oakland scored four runs (one earned).  A two-run RBI from Norris, Adam Rosales followed with a sacrifice fly and Jemile Weeks hit a triple to extend their lead 5-0.

C.J. had no plan nor did the defense back him.  He gave up nine hits, six runs (three earned), walked five, struck out four and gave up a home run.  The Angels bullpen gave up three more home runs to complete the night of failed pitching.

“It’s frustrating that we’re in a pennant race and I haven’t contributed to us winning any games recently,” said Wilson.

The A’s offense continued to dominate through the next three innings.  Coco Crisp doubled, stole third and scored on a infield single by Gomes.  And for the fourth time this season, Oakland hit back-to-back home runs from both Norris and Adam Rosales.  They had commanded a 9-0 lead by the end of the sixth.

To get an early lead kind of gave us a little bit if swagger back and some momentum,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said.  “And then we had much better at-bats after that.”

Josh Reddick ended Oakland’s night with the final run scored after he blasted a solo home run in the seventh.  It was his 25th team-leading home run of the season and putting his team in double digits which has been rare.

“It’s frustrating,” said Mark Trout.  “Bartolo came out throwing strikes, keeping us off balance.  He was making good pitches and he threw the ball well tonight.  he had good stuff tonight.”

Anaheim avoided a shutout in the seventh when Maicer Izturis hit an RBI single, though the run was unearned.  Reliever David Carpenter’s night also ended in the seventh after he surrendered three hits, three runs and gave up two home runs.

Despite the huge hole the Halos’ dug for themselves, Trout wished himself a Happy Birthday with a home run to center field in the eighth.  Trout is the youngest player in MLB history to have 20 HR’s, 30 stolen bases in one season.  He is also the 5th player to homer on his 21st birthday.  Ted Williams 1939, Frank Robinson 1956, Alex Rodriguez 1996 and Jason Heyward 2010.

Though the Angels tried to rally back in the ninth.  Crisp got the best of Kendrys Morales fly ball to center field when leaped over the wall to catch what would’ve been a home run.  However, Erick Aybar knocked in a two-run homer that didn’t make a dent in the damage the A’s done.

“It started with Bart,” Gomes said.  “The name of the game is throwing strikes.  They guys a dinosaur, he’s been doing it forever.  He knows what he’s doing and he knows the hitters.  You’d think he almost throws too many strikes.  That hasn’t gotten exposed yet so, he continues to do what he does best.”