OAKLAND, Calif. -- A quick trip to the minor leagues worked wonders for Los Angeles Angels right-hander Matt Shoemaker.

Shoemaker pitched his second consecutive gem Tuesday night since being recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake, leading the Angels to a 6-2 victory against the Oakland A's at the O.co Coliseum.

Shoemaker (7-9) allowed one run on five hits over seven innings, struck out five and walked two as the Angels snapped a four-game losing streak. In his previous start, Shoemaker threw 7 1/3 shutout innings in a 2-0 victory at Detroit.

"Since he's come back, he kind of has taken the mound with a little something to prove," Angels right fielder Kole Calhoun said. "It's nice to watch him go out there and throw the ball like he can."

Calhoun went 3-for-5 with a solo home run, his 21st shot of the season. He drove in two runs and scored twice as the Angels (66-66) got back to .500 and remained 3 1/2 games behind the Texas Rangers in the race for the second American League wild-card spot.

Leading off the seventh inning, Calhoun launched a solo shot off A's reliever Dan Otero into the right field seats, extending the Angels' lead to 6-1.

Major league rosters expanded Tuesday, and the Angels added nine new players, including five veterans who were activated off the disabled list. The reinforcements helped energize the team, Calhoun said.

"We got some guys back in the clubhouse and turned the page on August," Calhoun said. "A lot better energy in here today, and it showed on the field. Got our whole team. Definitely nice to get that win."

After the Angels were routed 11-5 in the series opener Monday night, manager Mike Scioscia said his starting pitchers needed to start giving the team a chance to win. Shoemaker did just that, and he hopes the win ignites a long streak.

"This team can be so good," Shoemaker said. "If we get on a roll, that's all we need to do. If we get on a roll, we're going to be really tough to beat."

Third baseman Brett Lawrie hit a solo home run in the first inning for the A's, who scored a run in the ninth off closer Huston Street.

Right-hander Cody Martin (0-1), who was called up Tuesday from Triple-A Nashville, lasted only three innings in his first major league start and his A's debut. Martin gave up five runs and six hits with one walk and no strikeouts. He went 2-3 with a 5.40 ERA in 21 relief appearances for the Atlanta Braves before being traded to Oakland on Aug. 2.

"It looked like there were some nerves there, especially with traffic out there," A's manager Bob Melvin said.

A's right-hander Ryan Dull pitched a scoreless eighth inning in his major league debut.

The A's struck first, taking a 1-0 lead on Lawrie's home run in the first inning, his 14th blast of the season.

The Angels surged ahead in the third inning, scoring four times off Martin. Catcher Carlos Perez lined a leadoff single and moved to third on second baseman Taylor Featherston's sharp single to right.

Calhoun beat out an infield single -- Martin was late covering first -- driving in Perez. Martin walked center fielder Mike Trout, loading the bases, then drilled designated hitter Albert Pujols in the ribs, forcing in a run. Calhoun scored on left fielder David Murphy's groundout, and first baseman C.J. Cron brought Trout home with a sacrifice fly.

"I gave up a fastball right down the middle to Perez to start that inning, and I started centering pitches, trying to do too much," Martin said. "I threw a lot of good pitches early, and then I made a few mistakes and they took advantage. The mental error getting to first base didn't help."

The Angels extended their lead to 5-1 with a run in the fourth. Third baseman David Freese lined a leadoff single and moved to third on Perez's single, which ended Martin's outing. Freese scored when Featherston grounded into a double play.

"We got the six runs and pressured them every inning," Scioscia said.

NOTES: The Angels reinstated five players from the disabled list, including 3B David Freese (broken right index finger). OF Collin Cowgill (sprained right wrist), INF Taylor Featherston (upper back strain), OF Matt Joyce (mild concussion, back pain) and RHP Cory Rasmus (right forearm strain) were also activated. ... The Angels recalled RHP Michael Morin, RHP Nick Tropeano and C Jett Bandy from Triple-A Salt Lake. LHP Wesley Wright was selected from Salt Lake and added to the 40-man roster. ... Oakland promoted eight players from Triple-A Nashville. RHPs Cody Martin, R.J. Alvarez, Arnold Leon and Dan Otero and INF/OF Tyler Ladendorf were recalled. RHP Ryan Dull, OF Jason Pridie and C Carson Blair were selected from Nashville and added to the 40-man roster. ... The Angels are searching for a new general manager to replace Jerry Dipoto, who resigned July 1 amid speculation of differences with manager Mike Scioscia. "You hope that whoever comes in you're going to be on the same page philosophically," Scioscia said.