Donovan Walton’s three-run homer and rookie Henry Bolte’s first four-hit game powered the Oakland Athletics to a 7-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night. The defeat left Los Angeles at 60-98 and one win away from matching the franchise record for losses in a season.
Los Angeles Angels second baseman Vaughn Grissom (5) runs past third base after hitting a homerun during an MLB game between the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California
Oakland built a 4-0 lead in the first inning behind an RBI single from Lawrence Butler and Walton’s two-out homer off rookie Walbert Ureña (9-11). Bolte went 4-for-5 with two runs and an RBI double in the second, pushing the margin to 5-0. Ureña surrendered five runs on seven hits across four innings.
Mike Trout and Vaughn Grissom hit consecutive home runs off Jeffrey Springs in the fourth to cut Oakland’s lead to 5-2. Alika Williams and Bolte added second-inning singles off José Fermín, and both scored on Shea Langeliers’ double.
Los Angeles has repeatedly squandered late advantages, falling behind in the ninth inning 11 times. That total matches the 1978 New York Mets and 2012 Milwaukee Brewers for the most such losses in a season. The Angels are 19-29 in one-run games and 6-14 in extra innings.
The club owns a minus-89 run differential, which translates to a projected 69-88 record under the Pythagorean expectation. Strengthening its bullpen and finding more consistent offense will be priorities next season.
Los Angeles has already traded outfielder Jo Adell to the Cleveland Guardians while continuing to evaluate rookie Wade Meckler in the outfield. The team is also seeking additional outfield depth and a left-handed power bat.
The defeat marked the Angels’ 11th consecutive losing season and extended baseball’s longest active postseason drought. The franchise last qualified for the playoffs in 2014, while its 99 losses in 2024 remain the most in club history.
The season also brought an ownership transition from Arte Moreno to Stan Kroenke, who completed his purchase of the franchise this month. Manager Kurt Suzuki urged the club to finish the year on a competitive note.
“We’re trying to get better every single day,” Suzuki said. “I don’t have to give them an inspirational speech; they know what they have to do. That being said, we’d like to finish off the season strong.”
The Angels begin a four-game season finale against the Seattle Mariners in Seattle on Thursday. Oakland right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (4-8, 5.96 ERA) is scheduled to start the opener.
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