Angels try to snap slide in clash with Athletics

(SportsNetwork.com) - The LA Angels of Anaheim will try to put the brakes on a three-game slide when they continue a four-game set versus the AL West-rival Oakland Athletics on Tuesday at the Big A.

The Angels dropped Monday's opener of this series by a 6-3 score, as Matt Shoemaker suffered his first loss of the season (2-1) by giving up five runs and seven hits in only three innings of work. He gave up two homers.

"Matt never settled in to what he does best. We'll turn the page on this one," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

David Freese had two RBI, Albert Pujols finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, and Mike Trout added a pair of runs scored in defeat.

Hector Santiago gets the nod for the Halos and is 1-1 with a 2.92 earned run average. Santiago was brilliant his last time out in a 10-2 pounding at Texas last Wednesday and limited the Rangers to a run and four hits in seven innings.

Santiago has faced Oakland seven times (5 starts) in his career and is 2-2 with a 1.99 earned run average.

The Athletics had dropped three of four games until they pulled out a win in Monday's series opener.

Stephen Vogt hit a three-run homer and Marcus Semien added a solo shot. Billy Butler had two hits and Sam Fuld scored twice for the A's.

"I got a good pitch to hit and I didn't miss," Vogt said.

Dan Otero picked up the win with four scoreless innings of relief and starter Kendall Graveman struggled through three innings, allowing three runs (2 earned) and four hits.

Drew Pomeranz will take the mound for the A's Tuesday and has a 1-1 mark to go along with a 3.00 earned run average. Pomeranz was dealt the loss in his last outing on April 15 at Houston, charged with four runs in five innings of a 6-1 loss.

Pomeranz, who pitched seven shutout innings on April 10 versus Seattle, is 1-1 with a 3.24 ERA in four career games (2 starts) against the Angels.

The Angels have won seven of the last nine games against Oakland and took the 2014 series by a 10-9 count, winning seven of the 10 matchups at home. The Angels have prevailed in seven of the last nine games versus the A's as the host.