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Nick Tropeano, Kole Calhoun lead Angels to 2-0 victory over A’s

Outfielder kole Calhoun watches his two-run home run in the third inning against the Athletics -- the Angels' only hit of the game. The Angels won 2-0.

Outfielder kole Calhoun watches his two-run home run in the third inning against the Athletics -- the Angels’ only hit of the game. The Angels won 2-0.

(Alex Gallardo / Associated Press)
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KEY MOMENT: Kole Calhoun lifted a two-run home run over the right-field wall in the third inning for the only scoring of the game.

AT THE PLATE: Despite facing Jesse Chavez, who had worked out of the bullpen this season, the Angels were hitless in seven of their eight innings. They have now been without a hit in 13 of their last 17 innings in the last two games. Two starters, Mike Trout and Johnny Giavotella, are hitting above .300. But four regulars, Erick Aybar, Albert Pujols, Matt Joyce and Chris Iannetta, are below .200.

UNUSUAL: The one-hit win was a feat rarer than a no-hitter. It has happened 65 other times in baseball history, according to baseball-reference.com. (Five more teams have won with no hits.) “I’ve seen us lose on a no-hitter,” Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said. “So winning on a one-hitter feels a lot better.”

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ON THE MOUND: After surrendering eight runs in three innings Wednesday, the bullpen recovered well. Fernando Salas killed a budding rally in the seventh inning, and Joe Smith and Huston Street held off the A’s in the eighth and ninth, with Street getting his fifth save.

WHERE DID EVERYBODY GO? The rare 4 p.m. start drew a crowd of 24,304. It was the Angels’ lowest attendance since May 21, 2003, when the game against Baltimore drew 24,000. Back then, the Angels still wore Anaheim on their jerseys, the stadium was called Edison Field and the starting pitchers were Aaron Sele and Sidney Ponson. Angels spokesman Tim Mead said the club agreed not to play a 7 p.m. game Thursday at the request of the A’s. Oakland concluded a 10-day trip Thursday, so the A’s players could enjoy some family time Thursday night, before their homestand starts Friday night. Mead said the A’s had cooperated with the Angels on scheduling other game times.

UP NEXT: Right-hander Garrett Richards (0-1, 5.40 ERA) will make his second start of the season against Texas Rangers left-hander Wandy Rodriguez (0-0, 0.00) on Friday at 7 p.m. at Angel Stadium. TV: FS West; Radio: 830, 1330.

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