A’s jump to early lead, beat Angels, 9-5

KEY MOMENT: Trailing, 9-5, the Angels put two on with one out in the seventh inning for Albert Pujols, who could have cut the lead to one with a home run. But A’s reliever Dan Otero got Pujols to ground into a fielder’s choice, and setup man Luke Gregerson came on to strike out David Freese, snuffing out the threat.

AT THE PLATE: Oakland third baseman Josh Donaldson hit a solo homer to right in the second, a run-scoring single to right in the third and a two-run homer to center in the fifth. He is batting .285 with 15 homers and 45 runs batted in. Mike Trout hit a solo homer to left-center, and Howie Kendrick lined a two-run homer to left in the third for the Angels. C.J. Cron pulled the Angels to within 9-5 with a two-run double to left-center in the sixth.

ON THE MOUND: The two-thirds-of-an-inning, 37-pitch start by Garrett Richards matched the shortest of his career and the shortest by an Angel since Jered Weaver did not record an out against the Yankees on May 28, 2012. Brandon Moss’ first-inning grand slam was the first slam Richards has allowed in his career. Left-hander Wade LeBlanc gave up four runs and six hits, but by throwing 94 pitches in 6 1/3 innings, he preserved the bullpen for the weekend. It was the longest relief outing by an Angels left-hander since Pat Clements (6 2/3 innings) in 1985.

REHAB REPORT: Josh Hamilton (bone bruise left thumb) resumed his rehab stint with triple-A Salt Lake on Friday, playing seven innings in left field and going two for four with a run against Tacoma. Barring a setback, he is expected to join the Angels on Tuesday in Houston. . . . Hector Santiago, demoted to Salt Lake on May 21, showed better command in his second triple-A start Friday, allowing one run and four hits in 5 1/3 innings, striking out seven and walking three.

EXTRA BASES: Reliever Sean Burnett, who suffered a tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow Tuesday, will be examined by orthopedic specialist James Andrews on Wednesday. The left-hander will then decide whether to undergo a second ligament replacement surgery, which would sideline him for 12-18 months. . . . Moss, the A’s first baseman, left in the third inning because of tightness in his right calf.

UP NEXT: Left-hander Tyler Skaggs (4-2, 3.97 ERA) will oppose Oakland left-hander Tommy Milone (3-3, 3.50 ERA) at Oakland Coliseum on Saturday at 7 p.m. On the air: TV: FS West. Radio: 830.