Joey Estes pitched Oakland’s first individual shutout in more than three years and the Athletics beat the Angels 5-0 on Wednesday night.
Estes (3-3) threw 68 of his 92 pitches for strikes, limiting the Angels to five singles and a walk with four strikeouts in the first complete game of his career. The right-hander induced three double plays and struck out Taylor Ward swinging to end the game.
It was the 16th complete game in the major leagues this season, 10 of them shutouts.
The last Oakland pitcher to toss a shutout was Sean Manaea, who blanked the Mariners on June 2, 2021.
Brent Rooker had three hits including a homer and Max Schuemann also homered.
The A’s benefited from some shaky Angels defense to score two runs in the second inning. With runners on first and third, Brett Harris hit a comebacker that should have been an inning-ending double play, but Davis Daniel’s low throw to second base ended up in center field, allowing Zack Gelof to score.
Later in the inning, Harris attempted to steal second, drawing a throw from catcher Matt Thaiss. Lawrence Butler sprinted home before Harris was tagged out to make it 2-0.
Schuemann took Daniel deep in the fifth.
Rooker connected for his 17th homer in the sixth. Harris added an RBI single later in the inning.
Daniel (1-1) gave up five runs (four earned) and seven hits with a walk and three strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.
Angels third baseman Luis Rengifo left because of an apparent right hand injury after a foul ball in the ninth inning. Rengifo fouled the ball straight back, then shook his hand in pain. He was briefly examined by manager Ron Washington and a trainer before walking to the dugout.
The Angels announced before the game that third baseman Anthony Rendon (left hamstring strain) is scheduled to face live pitching this weekend. Washington is hopeful he can return next week.
Up next
Right-hander Roansy Contreras (1-0, 3.82 ERA) makes his second start for the Angels on Thursday. The A’s counter with left-hander JP Sears (4-7, 5.00), who has lost four straight decisions.