Athletics 8, Angels 4: Jeff Samardzija scattered five hits over seven innings and Oakland exploded for six runs in the first inning to take the opener of a crucial three-game series from visiting Los Angeles.

Samardzija (7-12) was reached for an unearned run in the first inning before cruising the rest of the way and striking out three. Geovany Soto drove in a pair during the first-inning rally and Stephen Vogt added two RBIs as the Athletics won for the third time in four games to maintain their lead in the American League wild-card race and move three games ahead of third-place Seattle.

C.J. Wilson (13-10) started for the Angels and managed to record just two outs while being charged with six runs – four earned – on two hits and four walks. Albert Pujols hit a three-run homer in the eighth and Mike Trout drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the first before Wilson imploded for Los Angeles, which maintained its 2 1/2-game lead over Baltimore in the race for the best record in the AL.

Wilson was off from the start and surrendered a leadoff single and a fielder’s choice before losing control completely and walking the next three to force in the first run. Jed Lowrie fouled out, but Wilson walked Nate Freiman to force in the second run and surrendered a two-run single to Soto before being lifted.

Mike Morin came on in relief of Wilson and induced a grounder to third that David Freese threw away, allowing two more runs to score and closing the book on Wilson. The Angels bullpen held strong until the seventh, when Michael Roth surrendered Vogt’s two-run single.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Los Angeles went through six relievers, with RHP Drew Rucinski (2 1/3), RHP Cam Bedrosian (two innings) and RHP Jairo Diaz (1 2/3) lasting more than one frame. … Angels 2B Howie Kendrick (hamstring) sat out and is day-to-day. … Oakland 3B Josh Donaldson went 0-for-2 with three walks, a run scored and no RBIs. Donaldson (97) needs three RBIs to become the first Athletics player since Frank Thomas in 2006 to reach the 100 plateau.