Athletics complete three-game sweep of Angels

KEY MOMENT: Angels ace Jered Weaver had held Josh Donaldson hitless in nine career at-bats, but with the bases loaded and one out in the third inning, the A’s third baseman rolled a two-run single to left field to key a four-run inning and propel Oakland toward its major league-best sixth series sweep of the season.

AT THE PLATE: Erick Aybar and Albert Pujols hit sacrifice flies in the fifth, a rally set up by Collin Cowgill’s single and Kole Calhoun’s double, and Aybar hit an RBI double in the seventh. Coco Crisp (RBI double) and Jed Lowrie (RBI single) added key hits in Oakland’s third, and Lowrie hit a solo homer in the fifth.

ON THE MOUND: Weaver, who entered with an 11-7 record and 2.23 earned-run average in 26 starts against Oakland, had not given up more than two earned runs to the A’s in 11 starts dating to Sept. 4, 2010. He gave up five in a six-inning, 11-hit outing Sunday that halted a string of dominance in which he was 6-1 with a 2.01 ERA in his previous eight starts. Oakland ace Sonny Gray, mixing a 95-mph fastball with a sharp overhand curve, gave up three runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings.

ON SECOND THOUGHT: Calhoun, on second with one out in the first, retreated toward the bag as Lowrie, the A’s shortstop, threw out Pujols on a grounder to the hole. Calhoun broke for third on the throw and was an easy out on first baseman Alberto Callaspo’s throw across the diamond. “He just tried to make too much happen,” said Angels Manager Mike Scioscia.

TROUT OUT: Mike Trout sat out his second straight game because of tightness in the middle of his back, but the center fielder felt good enough to pinch-hit Sunday and said he “should be good” for Tuesday’s game in Houston.

ROSTER MOVE: The Angels optioned reliever Jarrett Grube to triple A after the game to clear a spot for left fielder Josh Hamilton, who will be activated off the disabled list Tuesday. … Matt Shoemaker will be skipped in the rotation this week and moved temporarily to the bullpen. C.J. Wilson, Garrett Richards and Tyler Skaggs will start against the Astros.

UP NEXT: The Angels are off Monday. Left-hander Wilson (6-4, 3.05 ERA) will oppose Houston right-hander Collin McHugh (3-3, 2.80) at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday at 5 p.m. PDT. On the air: FS West. Radio: 830.