Rookies lead charge in Oakland's late rally

OAKLAND --The A's staged a late comeback Tuesday night, posting three runs in the eighth inning to jump ahead of the Angels for a 3-2 victory at the Coliseum, evening this three-game series ahead of Wednesday's finale.
Angels starter Ricky Nolasco's night turned quickly. The right-hander didn't allow a hit until the sixth inning, only to load the bases in the eighth ahead of his departure and watch all three baserunners score under the watch of right-hander Mike Morin, who allowed back-to-back run-scoring hits to rookies Ryon Healy and Joey Wendle.
"It really shows a lot of heart in our squad to be able to battle back in the eighth inning," Healy said. "Whether we get 10 hits in the first five innings and lose or get them in the back half, I don't really care how it happens I just want to get a victory. "

Andrelton Simmons provided the lone Angels offensive highlight, notching an RBI double in a two-run fourth inning against A's starter Zach Neal, who provided six innings in the spot start while pitching on three days' rest.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Rookie to the rescue: Healy's RBI bloop single in the eighth inning capped a two-hit night for the third baseman, who was responsible for picking up Oakland's first hit with one out in the sixth inning, a clean single to center field. The rookie has been exceptional since joining the A's, batting .287 overall and .358 over his last 22 games.
"It doesn't even seem like Healy is a rookie anymore, based on the fact he plays every single day and has already gone through multiple adjustments that he's had to make," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "He's a tough guy and is getting big hits for us late in games."

Running Trout:Mike Trout drew a walk, went to second on Albert Pujols' single, easily stole third and trotted home on Simmons' double. Trout proved once again he can make a difference even without getting a hit. He remains atop the American League in runs scored with 109, matching the Blue Jays' Josh Donaldson.

Smolinski nabs Simmons: After tracking down Kaleb Cowart's fly ball for the first out of the seventh inning, A's center fielder Jake Smolinski quickly gunned down a running Simmons, who was trying for second base on the play. The sequence of events proved crucial when the A's came to life at the plate one inning later.

Almost perfect: If Nolasco could combine his last two starts, he'd have a perfect game to his credit. Following a leadoff double in the sixth against the Reds, he retired the final 12 batters he faced. Nolasco set down the first 16 A's he faced for a combined 28 straight. 
"He's been tremendous," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We've talked about the rotation and the lack of quality starts and he goes back-to-back games. Ricky is better than his record indicates. Hopefully he'll pitch with some consistency like we've seen." More >

WHAT'S NEXT
Angels: Right-hander Alex Meyer, who was part of the Aug. 1 trade that also brought Nolasco to the Angels, makes his Angels debut in Wednesday's 12:35 p.m. PT matinee and series finale. Meyer last pitched in the Majors on May 3 with the Twins. He threw four scoreless innings for Oklahoma City in his last appearance.
Athletics: Right-hander Jharel Cotton, one of three pitchers acquired by the A's in last month's trade that sent Josh Reddick and Rich Hill to the Dodgers, will be on the mound at the start of Wednesday's 12:35 p.m. PT series finale against the Angels for his Major League debut. Cotton was 3-1 with a 2.82 ERA in six starts for Triple-A Nashville following the trade.
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