AJ Ellis: Ellis hits 3-run homer, but Dodgers lose

The Oakland Athletics’ Jesse Chavez (30) reacts to recording the third out against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the eighth inning of their Major League Baseball game at O.Co Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, August 19, 2015. That the A’s are not in a playoff race means they can be patient with a struggling player, though as Melvin said Wednesday, despite “a couple of tough outings, for the most part (Chavez) has been consistent all year”.

The teams themselves differ significantly as well, with the Athletics far behind in last place in the AL West, and the Dodgers leading the NL West, 3 games ahead of the San Francisco Giants. Kershaw went seven strong innings but left with the game tied 1-1 before A.J.

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. “It’s just been kind of an emotional roller coaster ride this year”.

Meanwhile, Chavez retired 15 of 16 batters following Rollins’ homer before giving up the Dodgers’ only other hit, a two-out double by Kiké Hernandez in the top of the eighth. “To get a win like that, it was really cool”. He walked two, struck out seven and left with a 4-1 lead. Therefore, the fact that the A’s managed to scratch together even one run off of him in seven frames has to be seen as something of a success, right?

“I lost my job last year because I got exhausted, ” Chavez said.

The lefty slammed the ball on the ground and fired it into the dugout before returning to the mound. “It was a weird night”.

I don’t know if “effectively wild” is really the right description for this one or not, but it’s a good starting point. What a twist! From there, the A’s took the chance to manufacture a run – Josh Reddick sacrificed the runners over, and Marcus Semien knocked one in with a groundout. “I don’t have a reason”.

The A’s right-hander threw a career-high 116 pitches over eight innings and allowed just two hits.

Entering Wednesday, though, Chavez had posted a 5.28 ERA in six starts since the All-Star Break, and there was some speculation of whether he was experiencing another second-half letdown. Losing the lead, Wood allowed the A’s to go 2-for-3 with a walk that third time through, ending his day after 5⅔ innings and just 82 pitches.

At least they made the first one count. He had pitched into the seventh inning in two of his three starts for the Dodgers but was done after 5 2-3 against the club with the American League’s worst record.

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.

NOTES: Dodgers RF Yasiel Puig had an MRI on his injured right hamstring Wednesday that showed a “very mild” strain, manager Don Mattingly said.

Coco Crisp (ankle and neck) and Brett Lawrie (back) have not played since Saturday, and with the A’s due for a day off Thursday, both men were on the bench again with the hope that both would be ready Friday.