OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Lawrence Butler and Brent Rooker hit home runs, Mitch Spence gave up one hit over 5 1/3 innings, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Los Angeles Angels 7-5 on Tuesday night.
Brett Harris added a two-run double for Oakland, which had lost seven of its previous eight games and 17 of 21.
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OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Lawrence Butler and Brent Rooker hit home runs, Mitch Spence gave up one hit over 5 1/3 innings, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Los Angeles Angels 7-5 on Tuesday night.
Oakland Athletics outfielder Miguel Andujar (22) catches a fly ball hit by the Los Angeles Angels during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Oakland Athletics shortstop Max Schuemann (12) runs to third base against the Los Angeles Angels during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Los Angeles Angels pitcher Hans Crouse (52) throws a pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward (3) makes a diving catch against the Oakland Athletics during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Oakland Athletics second base Zack Gelof (20) rounds third base against the Los Angeles Angels during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
'Oakland Athletics second base Zack Gelof (20) high fives outfielder Lawrence Butler (4) as he crosses home plate against the Los Angeles Angels during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Oakland Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler (4) runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Nolan Schanuel had two hits and four RBIs for Los Angeles.
Butler, with a three-run shot, and Rooker homered off Angels starter José Soriano in a four-run fourth inning.
“It’s obviously great to see the young guys … produce. It’s been a while since we’ve hit a three-run homer, so that’s always nice,” manager Mark Kotsay said.
Rooker’s 16th homer came on an 0-2 knuckle curve Soriano left over the plate. Butler’s opposite field shot barely grazed the left field foul pole.
Kotsay attributed a mechanical adjustment to Butler’s home run.
“It’s going to process for him to be able to duplicate it, but that swing he took on the three-run homer, shorter, less head movement, more direct to the baseball, and thus the result happened,” he said.
Harris’ two-run double in the sixth highlighted a three-run inning in which Oakland extended its lead to 7-1.
Los Angeles closed to within 7-3 in the seventh on Schanuel’s two-run single.
Schanuel doubled in a run off A’s closer Mason Miller, who gave up two runs in the ninth in a non-save situation.
Spence (5-4) gave up one run on six hits to snap a streak of five straight winless starts. He struck out five and did not give up a walk. He’s walked no more than one in seven straight starts.
Soriano (4-6) gave up four runs on three hits in four innings. The hard throwing right-hander was activated from the injured list earlier in the day after missing three weeks with an abdominal infection. He was on a 65-pitch limit.
Soriano’s effort coming back from the injury was an encouraging sign for the Angels, manager Ron Washington said, noting Soriano would likely see his pitch limit bumped up to 85 in his next start.
“He’s back,” Washington said. “We’ll see where it goes from here, but I was pleased with the way he threw the ball. You always wish you don’t give up any runs, but it happens.
“I thought he handled himself very well out there.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Angles: RHP Andrew Wantz (right elbow inflammation) was placed on the on 15-day injured list (retroactive to Monday).
Athletics: RHP Ross Stripling (right elbow strain) and RHP Paul Blackburn (stress reaction in the fifth metatarsal of his right foot) could start rehab assignments this week, manager Mark Kotsay said. … RHP Tyler Ferguson and 3B Brett Harris were recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas. … LHP Sean Newcomb and SS Aledmys Díaz were designated for assignment.
UP NEXT
Angels: Davis Daniel (1-0, 0.00 ERA) in his last start on Thursday became the first pitcher to throw at least eight shutout innings with eight or more strikeouts in his first career start since Colorado starter Jason Jennings did so Aug. 23, 2001 against the New York Mets.
Athletics: RHP Joey Estes (2-3, 5.24) struck out eight and walked two in 5 2/3 innings in a 5-2 loss to Los Angeles on June 26.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Los Angeles Angels third base Luis Rengifo (2) steals second base against the Oakland Athletics during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Oakland Athletics outfielder Miguel Andujar (22) catches a fly ball hit by the Los Angeles Angels during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Oakland Athletics shortstop Max Schuemann (12) runs to third base against the Los Angeles Angels during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Los Angeles Angels pitcher Hans Crouse (52) throws a pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward (3) makes a diving catch against the Oakland Athletics during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Oakland Athletics second base Zack Gelof (20) rounds third base against the Los Angeles Angels during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
'Oakland Athletics second base Zack Gelof (20) high fives outfielder Lawrence Butler (4) as he crosses home plate against the Los Angeles Angels during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Oakland Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler (4) runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s Labour Party swept to power Friday after more than a decade in opposition, as a jaded electorate handed the party a landslide victory — but also a mammoth task of reinvigorating a stagnant economy and dispirited nation.
Labour leader Keir Starmer will officially become prime minister later in the day, leading his party back to government less than five years after it suffered its worst defeat in almost a century.
In the merciless choreography of British politics, he will take charge in 10 Downing St. shortly after Conservative leader Rishi Sunak and his family left the official residence and King Charles III accepted his resignation at Buckingham Palace.
“This is a difficult day, but I leave this job honored to have been prime minister of the best country in the world,” Sunak said in his farewell address.
Sunak had conceded defeat earlier in the morning, saying the voters had delivered a “sobering verdict.”
In a magnanimous farewell speech in the same place where he had called for the snap election six weeks earlier, Sunak wished Starmer all the best but also acknowledged his missteps.
“I have heard your anger, your disappointment, and I take responsibility for this loss,” Sunak said. "To all the Conservative candidates and campaigners who worked tirelessly but without success, I’m sorry that we could not deliver what your efforts deserved.”
With almost all the results in, Labour had won 410 seats in the 650-seat House of Commons and the Conservatives 118.
“A mandate like this comes with a great responsibility,” Starmer acknowledged in a speech to supporters, saying the fight to regain people’s trust after years of disillusionment “is the battle that defines our age.”
Speaking as dawn broke in London, he said Labour would offer “the sunlight of hope, pale at first but getting stronger through the day.”
For Starmer, it's a massive triumph that will bring huge challenges, as he faces a weary electorate impatient for change against a gloomy backdrop of economic malaise, mounting distrust in institutions and a fraying social fabric.
“Nothing has gone well in the last 14 years,” said London voter James Erskine, who was optimistic for change in the hours before polls closed. “I just see this as the potential for a seismic shift, and that’s what I’m hoping for.”
And that's what Starmer promised, saying “change begins now."
Anand Menon, professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs at King’s College London, said British voters were about to see a marked change in political atmosphere from the tumultuous “politics as pantomime” of the last few years.
“I think we’re going to have to get used again to relatively stable government, with ministers staying in power for quite a long time, and with government being able to think beyond the very short term to medium-term objectives,” he said.
Britain has experienced a run of turbulent years — some of it of the Conservatives’ own making and some of it not — that has left many voters pessimistic about their country’s future. The U.K. divorce from the European Union followed by the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine battered the economy, while lockdown-breaching parties held by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his staff caused widespread anger.
Rising poverty, crumbling infrastructure and overstretched National Health Service have led to gripes about “Broken Britain.”
Johnson’s successor, Liz Truss, rocked the economy further with a package of drastic tax cuts and lasted just 49 days in office. Truss, who lost her seat to Labour, was one of a slew of senior Tories kicked out in a stark electoral reckoning.
While the result appears to buck recent rightward electoral shifts in Europe, including in France and Italy, many of those same populist undercurrents flow in Britain. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage roiled the race with his party’s anti-immigrant “take our country back” sentiment and undercut support for the Conservatives and even grabbed some voters from Labour.
The result is a catastrophe for the Conservatives as voters punished them for 14 years of presiding over austerity, Brexit, a pandemic, political scandals and internecine conflict.
The historic defeat — the smallest number of seats in the party's two-century history — leaves it depleted and in disarray and will spark an immediate contest to replace Sunak, who said he would step down as leader.
In a sign of the volatile public mood and anger at the system, the incoming Parliament will be more fractured and ideologically diverse than any for years. Smaller parties picked up millions of votes, including the centrist Liberal Democrats and Farage’s Reform UK. It won four seats, including one for Farage in the seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea, securing a place in Parliament on his eighth attempt.
The Liberal Democrats won about 70 seats, on a slightly lower share of the vote than Reform because its votes were more efficiently distributed. In Britain's first-past-the-post system, the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins.
The Green Party won four seats, up from just one before the election.
One of the biggest losers was the Scottish National Party, which held most of Scotland's 57 seats before the election but looked set to lose all but handful, mostly to Labour.
Labour did not set pulses racing with its pledges to get the sluggish economy growing, invest in infrastructure and make Britain a “clean energy superpower.”
But the party's cautious, safety-first campaign delivered the desired result. The party won the support of large chunks of the business community and endorsements from traditionally conservative newspapers, including the Rupert Murdoch-owned Sun tabloid, which praised Starmer for “dragging his party back to the center ground of British politics.”
The Conservative campaign, meanwhile, was plagued by gaffes. The campaign got off to an inauspicious start when rain drenched Sunak as he made the announcement outside 10 Downing St. Then, Sunak went home early from commemorations in France marking the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.
Several Conservatives close to Sunak are being investigated over suspicions they used inside information to place bets on the date of the election before it was announced.
In Henley-on-Thames, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of London, voters like Patricia Mulcahy, who is retired, sensed the nation was looking for something different. The community, which has long voted Conservative, flipped to the Liberal Democrats this time.
“The younger generation are far more interested in change,’’ Mulcahy said ahead of the results. “But whoever gets in, they’ve got a heck of a job ahead of them. It’s not going to be easy.”
Associated Press journalists Danica Kirka, Pan Pylas, Poppy Askham, Bela Szandelszky in London and Tian Macleod Ji in Henley-on-Thames contributed.
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Outgoing Conservative chancellor of the exchequer Jeremy Hunt, with his wife Lucia Hunt and their children Jack, Anna and Eleanor leave 11 Downing Street after the Labour party won a landslide victory in the general election, Friday, July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party swept to power Friday after more than a decade in opposition, as a jaded electorate handed the party a landslide victory — but also a mammoth task of reinvigorating a stagnant economy and dispirited nation. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Outgoing British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak leaves the Conservative Campaign Headquarters in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party swept to power Friday after more than a decade in opposition, as a jaded electorate handed the party a landslide victory, but also a mammoth task of reinvigorating a stagnant economy and dispirited nation. (AP Photo/Thomas Krych)
Labour Party leader Keir Starmer shakes hands with his supporters at the Tate Modern in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Labour Party Starmer says voters "have spoken and they are ready for change" as an exit poll points to landslide win, and is expected to be the next British Prime Minister. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
A policeman stands guard outside 10 Downing Street as rain falls in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. No10 is official home of the British Prime Minister, and after winning the 2024 general election Labour Party leader Keir Starmer is expected to become the next Prime Minister. Starmer said voters "have spoken and they are ready for change"; the Labour Party has defeated the Conservative government led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the election held on July 4. (AP Photo/David Cliff)
The statues of former British Prime Minister's David Lloyd George, left, and Winston Churchill stand in Parliament Square in Westminster across from the Houses of Parliament in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party swept to power Friday after more than a decade in opposition, as a jaded electorate handed the party a landslide victory — but also a mammoth task of reinvigorating a stagnant economy and dispirited nation. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Former prime minister Liz Truss looks on as she loses her Norfolk South West seat to Labour at Alive Lynnsport in King's Lynn, Norfolk, during the count in the 2024 General Election, Friday July 5, 2024. Britain’s Labour Party swept to power Friday after more than a decade in opposition, as a jaded electorate handed the party a landslide victory — but also a mammoth task of reinvigorating a stagnant economy and dispirited nation. (Jacob King/PA via AP)
Bill Blockhead, left, an independent candidate, views results on a phone at the Sports Training Village, University of Bath, in Somerset, during the count for the North East Somerset and Hanham constituency in the 2024 General Election, Friday July 5, 2024. (Jonathan BradyPA via AP)
Scottish First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney looks down at his phone at Ice Hall in the Dewars Centre, Perth, during the count in the 2024 General Election, Friday July 5, 2024. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
Britain's Labour Party leader Keir Starmer speaks on stage after he was elected for the Holborn and St Pancras constituency, in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party appears to be headed for a huge majority in the 2024 UK election, an exit poll suggested. The poll released moments after voting closed indicated that Labour leader Keir Starmer will be the country's next prime minister.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Independent candidate Count Binface speaks to a journalist as he arrives for the vote count in Britain's general election at the Richmond and Northallerton count center in Northallerton, England, Friday July 5, 2024. (Temilade Adelaja, Pool via AP)
Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty leave a polling station after voting near Richmond, North Yorkshire, England, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Britain goes to the polls Thursday after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a general election. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell )
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg looks at his phone at the Sports Training Village, University of Bath, in Somerset, during the count for the North East Somerset and Hanham constituency in the 2024 General Election, Friday July 5, 2024. Britain’s Labour Party headed for a landslide victory Friday in a parliamentary election, an exit poll and partial returns indicated, as voters punished the governing Conservatives after 14 years of economic and political upheaval. (Jonathan Brady/PA via AP)
Labour Party leader Keir Starmer with his wife Victoria make their way through supporters as they arrive at the count for the Holborn and St Pancras Parliamentary constituency where the Starmer is standing for election, in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party appears to be headed for a huge majority in the 2024 UK election, an exit poll suggested. The poll released moments after voting closed indicated that Labour leader Keir Starmer will be the country's next prime minister. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, second right, arrives at Clacton Leisure Centre in Clacton, England, during the count for the 2024 General Election, Friday July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party headed for a landslide victory Friday in a parliamentary election, an exit poll suggested, as voters punished the governing Conservatives after 14 years of economic and political upheaval. (Joe Giddens/PA Wire/PA via AP)
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage gives a victory speech after winning his seat at Clacton Leisure Centre in Clacton, England, Friday July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party headed for a landslide victory Friday in a parliamentary election, an exit poll suggested, as voters punished the governing Conservatives after 14 years of economic and political upheaval. (Joe Giddens/PA Wire/PA via AP)
Liberal Democrat Ed Davey celebrates at a general election results watch party at the London Art Bar, central London, Friday July 5, 2024. Britain’s Labour Party headed for a landslide victory Friday in a parliamentary election, an exit poll and partial returns indicated, as voters punished the governing Conservatives after 14 years of economic and political upheaval. (James Manning/PA via AP)
Independent candidate Niko Omilana holds an "L" behind Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who speaks after winning his seat in the general election at the Richmond and Northallerton count center in Northallerton, England, Friday July 5, 2024. Britain’s Labour Party headed for a landslide victory Friday in a parliamentary election, an exit poll and partial returns indicated, as voters punished the governing Conservatives after 14 years of economic and political upheaval. (Temilade Adelaja, Pool via AP)
Labour Party leader Keir Starmer smiles as he speaks to his supporters at the Tate Modern in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Labour Party Starmer says voters "have spoken and they are ready for change" as an exit poll points to landslide win, and is expected to be the next British Prime Minister. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Ballot boxes are emptied at Ice Hall in the Dewars Centre, Perth, Scotland, during the count for the Perth and North Perthshire constituency in the 2024 General Election, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Britain’s Labour Party was headed for a huge majority in Britain’s election on Thursday, an exit poll suggested. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
Meadowbank Sports Arena, Magherafelt, Northern Ireland, during the count for the 2024 General Election, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Britain’s Labour Party was headed for a huge majority in Britain’s election on Thursday, an exit poll suggested. (Niall Carson/PA via AP)
Ballot boxes are emptied at Silkworth Community Pool Tennis & Wellness Centre in Sunderland, England, during the count for the 2024 General Election, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Britain’s Labour Party was headed for a huge majority in Britain’s election on Thursday, an exit poll suggested. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
A man leaves a temporary polling station at Wimbledon Village, London, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Voters in the U.K. are casting their ballots in a national election to choose the 650 lawmakers who will sit in Parliament for the next five years. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Britain's LibDem party leader Ed Davey and his wife Emily Daveypose for the media after they cast their vote at polling station in Kingston, London, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Britain goes to the polls Thursday after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a general election.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
A woman holds a tray after offering hot drinks to members of the media waiting for Labour Party leader Keir Starmer to vote outside a polling station in London, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Voters in the U.K. are casting their ballots in a national election to choose the 650 lawmakers who will sit in Parliament for the next five years. Outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak surprised his own party on May 22 when he called the election. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
People walk from Falwell windmill and mill which is a temporary polling station, after casting their vote in Sunderland, England, Thursday, July 4, 2024.Britain goes to the polls Thursday after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a general election. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer walks out of a polling booth after casting her vote in the 2024 General Election at Redland Park United Reformed Church in Bristol, England, Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jonathan Brady/PA via AP)
A woman displays a Reform UK Party badge on her hat in Clacton On Sea, England, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Voters in the U.K. are casting their ballots in a national election to choose the 650 lawmakers who will sit in Parliament for the next five years. Outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak surprised his own party on May 22 when he called the election. (AP Photo/Thomas Krych)
Britain's Labour Party leader Keir Starmer shakes hands with other candidates after he was elected for the Holborn and St Pancras constituency, in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party appears to be headed for a huge majority in the 2024 UK election, an exit poll suggested. The poll released moments after voting closed indicated that Labour leader Keir Starmer will be the country's next prime minister. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party speaks from inside a jeep during an electoral rally at Clacton Pier in Clacton-on-Sea, England, Wednesday, July 3, 2024. United Kingdom voters will cast ballots in a national election Thursday, passing judgment on Sunak's 20 months in office, and on the four Conservative prime ministers before him. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
People react to Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, speaking during an electoral rally at Clacton Pier in Clacton-on-Sea, England, Wednesday, July 3, 2024. United Kingdom voters will cast ballots in a national election Thursday, passing judgment on Sunak's 20 months in office, and on the four Conservative prime ministers before him. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
A man cycles with his daughter after casting his vote at Whitley Bay cemetery where there is polling station inside, in Whitley Bay, England, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Britain goes to the polls Thursday after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a general election. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
A woman leaves after casting her vote at a polling station in London, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Voters in the U.K. are casting their ballots in a national election to choose the 650 lawmakers who will sit in Parliament for the next five years. Outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak surprised his own party on May 22 when he called the election. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
A man and his dog walk towards Falwell windmill and mill which is a temporary polling station in Sunderland, England, Thursday, July 4, 2024.Britain goes to the polls Thursday after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a general election. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrives at Northallerton Leisure Centre in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, for the count for the Richmond and Northallerton constituency in the 2024 General Election, Friday July 5, 2024. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)
Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty walk from a polling station after voting near Richmond, North Yorkshire, England, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Britain goes to the polls Thursday after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a general election. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell )
Labour Party leader Keir Starmer kisses his wife Victoria after he spoke to his supporters at the Tate Modern in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Labour Party Starmer says voters "have spoken and they are ready for change" as an exit poll points to landslide win, and is expected to be the next British Prime Minister. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Britain's Labour Party leader Keir Starmer gives a thumbs up to his supporters after he was elected for the Holborn and St Pancras constituency, in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party appears to be headed for a huge majority in the 2024 UK election, an exit poll suggested. The poll released moments after voting closed indicated that Labour leader Keir Starmer will be the country's next prime minister.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
