Oakland’s Jerry Blevins replaced Grant Balfour in a 6-5 game with runners at the corners and no outs against the Angels on Tuesday night. He promptly struck out Kendrys Morales and induced a double-play ball from Howie Kendrick to give the A’s a win.
The Angels were attempting to come back from 6-3 down in the ninth when Chris Iannetta and Mike Trout started the frame with walks. Torii Hunter and Albert Pujols followed with a pair of RBI singles, at which point A’s manager Bob Melvin removed Balfour.
The left-handed Blevins was the choice to take over, even though Morales is a switch-hitter and Kendrick bats righty. He got the job done in a big way for his second career save in 205 appearances. His other save came in 2010 against the Rays.
For Kendrick, it was the 23rd double play grounded into of the season. He’s tied with Michael Young for second in the AL, three behind Miguel Cabrera.
The A’s have taken the first two in a four-game series in Anaheim to move 4 1/2 games ahead of the Angels in the AL West. At 81-60, they have the second best record in the AL, two games ahead of the Yankees and Orioles.