A's edge Dodgers 5-4 in 10

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Wednesday, August 19, 2015

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Clayton Kershaw wasn't as sharp as he had been for the better part of the past two months. The Los Angeles Dodgers' ace even lost his temper early on when he angrily threw a ball into his own dugout.

That was nothing compared to the meltdown by the Dodgers' bullpen.

Pedro Baez blew a three-run lead in the eighth inning after Kershaw left, and Yimi Garcia gave up consecutive doubles in the 10th, allowing the Oakland Athletics to rally for a 5-4 victory that ended Los Angeles' three-game winning streak.

It was the first time in four games that the Dodgers were scored on after their starter was pulled.

"They were good at home the last few games," Los Angeles manager Don Mattingly said. "We have to find a way to get the ball from the starters to (closer Kenley Jansen). These are our guys. I feel like we're in a good spot and it feels like we're going to get the job done."

That didn't happen on the opener of the Dodgers' eight-game trip.

Mark Canha opened the 10th with a double off Garcia, his fourth hit of the game. Billy Butler then lined the next pitch to right, and the throw from Scott Van Slyke sailed well wide of home plate, allowing Canha to score easily and end the A's season-high seven-game losing streak.

"It's definitely the most memorable game we've played," Canha said. "It's just been kind of an emotional roller coaster ride this year. To get a win like that, it was really cool."

Beating the Dodgers on a night when Kershaw pitched made it even sweeter.

Kershaw gave up one run over seven innings. He walked two, struck out seven and left with a 4-1 lead.

The reigning NL MVP, who had allowed only one run in two previous career starts against the A's, also made a sparkling defensive play after Josh Reddick's RBI groundout in the second.

Eric Sogard hit a sharp bouncing ball up the middle but Kershaw spun and made a backward barehanded, no-look catch then threw Sogard out.

The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner lost his composure in the third.

Upset over not getting a called third strike, Kershaw bobbled Danny Valenica's grounder on the next pitch, allowing Valenica to reach on an infield single. Kershaw angrily slammed the ball into the turf and caught it on the bounce, took a few steps then fired it into the Dodgers' dugout.

"I was fired up for some reason," Kershaw said. "It was a weird night. I was on edge a little more than usual, and I don't really know why. I don't have a reason."

Canha had a two-run double when Oakland scored three runs in the eighth off Baez. Marcus Semien added a tying RBI single.

A.J. Ellis hit a three-run home run for Los Angeles.

The interleague matchup attracted a rare sellout crowd to the Oakland Coliseum, a large majority clad in Dodger blue. Several fights broke out and at least three people were ejected.

Oakland starter Felix Doubront -- making his first start since being acquired from Toronto on July 31 after the Blue Jays had designated him for assignment -- pitched well despite six walks. Doubront allowed one hit over six innings, gave up an unearned run in the fifth and had a season-high eight strikeouts.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Dodgers: RF Yasiel Puig was pulled from the game with tightness in his right hamstring after reaching on an infield single in the eighth. ... RHP Mat Latos was scheduled to start Wednesday but will pitch out of the bullpen during the eight-game trip instead. With two days off coming up, Mattingly made the switch in order to keep Kershaw and Zack Greinke on turn in the rotation. ... Ron Roenicke made his first appearance as the team's new third base coach.

Athletics: OF Coco Crisp, who has spent two stints on the DL this season with neck and elbow injuries, was rested. ... 3B Brett Lawrie (strained lat) was held out of the starting lineup.

UP NEXT

Dodgers: LHP Alex Wood (8-7) has pitched into the seventh inning in two of his three starts since being acquired from the Atlanta Braves at the trade deadline. On the flip side, Wood has a 5.09 ERA over that same stretch.

Athletics: RHP Jesse Chavez (6-12) starts for Oakland and is tied for the American League lead in losses.

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