Rooker, Butler each drive in 3 runs in the Athletics' 8-2 victory over the Angels

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Brent Rooker hit a three-run homer, Lawrence Butler had a bases-clearing double and the Oakland Athletics beat the Los Angeles Angels 8-2 on Saturday.

The A’s have won five of seven and are on a franchise-long eight-game home winning streak against the Angels, with an announced crowd of 14,574 in attendance at the Coliseum. They have won consecutive series after taking two of three on the road against the Phillies prior to the All-Star break.

“You just don’t know what you’re going to see, and how long it’s going to take the team to continue the progress that we’ve made ... so it’s nice to see that we’ve come out and swung the bat as well, and kept the momentum going,” manager Mark Kotsay said.

The A's have scored 39 runs over their last three games, their most runs over a three-game stretch since 2012.

Athletics starter Mitch Spence (6-6) pitched into the sixth and held the Angels to two runs.

Rooker hit his 22nd homer of the season to give the A’s a 3-0 lead four batters into the game. Rooker is batting nearly .480 in July.

Butler cleared the bases with two outs in the fourth inning with a line drive to right that made it 7-1. The rookie has 22 RBIs in his last 14 games, entering the game second in the league in RBIs in July. Butler and Miguel Andujar each had three hits.

Butler was sen down to Triple-A Las Vegas after batting .179 over the first 41 games of the season, but since being called back up in June, he has settled into the hitter that Kotsay saw in spring training.

“When he’s behind in a count, you can see unconsciously — there’s a mentality there that he’s not going to let an off-speed pitch out of the zone beat him,” Kotsay said.

Spence said that watching Butler hit has been fun to watch.

“The stuff he’s been doing has been unbelievable,” Spence said. “The biggest thing is even when he’s not on an absolute tear, he doesn’t lose confidence. He's still putting together great at-bats, and I think that’s what makes a great hitter.”

Angels starter Jack Kochanowicz (0-2), making his second career start, pitched an inning longer than in his debut. He allowed seven runs in four innings.

Manager Ron Washington said Kochanowicz settled into after the first inning, but lost his command in the fourth. The Angels were 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position.

“That’s the story of the past two days: We couldn’t stop their offense and their pitching stopped our offense," Washington said. “Every opportunity we got, we got the minimal damage done. Every opportunity they got, they cashed it in big time. We’ve got to change our formula for that.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Angels: 1B Nolan Schanuel left after his at-bat in the third inning because of tightness in his left calf, and is considered day-to-day. … OF Mike Trout (knee) is expected to face live pitching at the team’s spring training facility in Arizona before beginning a rehab assignment at Triple-A Salt Lake City on Monday. He could possibly rejoin the team Thursday, manager Ron Washington said. … RHP Griffin Canning (elbow) is day-to-day after leaving Friday’s start in the fourth inning as a precaution. … 3B Luis Rengifo (wrist) was expected to do live hitting off a tee.

Athletics: SS Jacob Wilson (hamstring) will have an MRI on Sunday after sustaining an injury running the bases in his major league debut Friday. … OF Esteury Ruiz (wrist) was pulled from a rehab assignment Saturday and is scheduled to see a doctor Monday.

UP NEXT

RHP Joey Estes (4-4, 5.29 ERA) was set to pitch for the A’s against RHP Carslon Fulmer (0-2, 3.45 ERA) in the series finale Sunday.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Former Oakland Athletics player Jose Canseco flexes for fans before throwing out a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Athletics and the Los Angeles Angels in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Former Oakland Athletics player Jose Canseco throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Athletics and the Los Angeles Angels in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Oakland Athletics second baseman Zack Gelof, top, throws to first base after forcing Los Angeles Angels' Luis Guillorme (15) out at second base on a double play hit into by Anthony Rendon during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington gestures toward players during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jack Kochanowicz reacts after walking Oakland Athletics' Max Schuemann with the bases loaded during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Oakland Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers, left, celebrates with pitcher Tyler Ferguson, right, after they defeated the Los Angeles Angels in a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Oakland Athletics ' Max Schuemann (12) celebrates with Miguel Andujar (22) after they defeated the Los Angeles Angels in a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Oakland Athletics pitcher Mitch Spence works against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Oakland Athletics' Brent Rooker, left, celebrates after hitting a three-run home run that also scored JJ Bleday (33) and Miguel Andujar (22) during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Oakland Athletics' Brent Rooker (25) hits a three-run home run in front of Los Angeles Angels catcher Logan O'Hoppe, second from left, during the first inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

VENICE, Italy (AP) — The 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival is coming to close Saturday, with the world premiere of Kevin Costner’s “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2” and the awards ceremony.

With no real consensus pick going into the evening, eyes are focused on what the Isabelle Huppert-led jury will bestow prizes upon this year. Many of the 21 titles playing in competition have been divisive, with passionate supporters and detractors.

Among the highest profile of the films up for the top prize include: Todd Phillips’ “Joker: Folie à Deux,” the not-a-musical-musical with Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga ; Pablo Larraín’s Maria Callas film “Maria,” starring Angela Jolie as the famed soprano; the erotic thriller “Babygirl” in which Nicole Kidman gets entangled in a complicated affair with an intern, played by Harris Dickinson; Luca Guadagnino’s William S. Burroughs adaptation “Queer,” with Daniel Craig as a junkie expat obsessed with a young student; Brady Corbet’s 215-minute post-war epic about an architect and a Holocaust survivor rebuilding a life in America, “The Brutalist,” starring Adrien Brody; and Pedro Almodóvar’s English-language mediation on death and friendship, “The Room Next Door,” starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton.

Five years ago, the Venice jury surprised the film world by giving the Golden Lion to “Joker,” which went on to win a best actor Oscar for Phoenix. Last year the top award went to “Poor Things” and the year before, the documentary “All the Beauty and the Bloodshed.”

Though always a player in the international festival scene, Venice has cemented its reputation as a major launching pad for awards campaigns over the past 12 years. Since 2014, they’ve hosted four best picture winners (“Birdman,” “Spotlight,” “The Shape of Water” and “Nomadland”) and 19 nominees. And buzz is already swirling about possible best actress nominations for Kidman and Jolie, actor for Craig and supporting actress for Gaga, as the fall film season kicks into full gear.

The festival this year marked a return to form with true A-listers back on the Lido to celebrate films both in and out of competition after last year’s strike addled outing. In addition to the names above, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke, Sigourney Weaver were all lending their star power to the event.

And many rose to the occasion with their fashion. Gaga’s Christian Dior gown paired with a vintage lace Philip Treacy headpiece made for a major red-carpet moment. As was Kidman’s body hugging Schiaparelli, Blanchett’s Armani Privé with strands of pearls cascading down her back, and Jolie with her fur stole. Rachel Weisz and Daniel Craig also played the power couple, with her in a glittery blue Versace gown and him in a cream Loewe suit. The “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” cast did also did a spin on the movie’s aesthetic with their wares.

The last major film premiering, out of competition, is the second part of Kevin Costner’s self-financed passion project. The first installment had a glitzy premiere at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, but after that fizzled at the box office earlier this summer, the August release of “Chapter Two” was delayed. Instead, it would go the festival route as well.

For more coverage of the 2024 Venice Film Festival, visit https://apnews.com/hub/venice-film-festival.

Isabelle Fuhrman, from left, Kevin Costner and Georgia MacPhail pose for photographers at the photo call for the film 'Horizon: An American Saga (Chapter 2)' during the 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Kevin Costner poses for photographers at the photo call for the film 'Horizon: An American Saga (Chapter 2)' during the 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Angelina Jolie poses for photographers at the photo call for the film 'Maria' during the 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Angelina Jolie poses for photographers upon arrival for the premiere of the film 'Maria' during the 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Angelina Jolie poses for photographers upon her arrival for the premiere of the film 'Maria' during the 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Aug. 29, 2024. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Nicole Kidman poses for photographers upon arrival for the premiere of the film 'Babygirl' during the 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

George Clooney, left, and Brad Pitt upon arrival for the press conference of the film 'Wolfs' during the 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

George Clooney signs autographs upon arrival for the premiere of the film 'Wolfs' during the 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Julianne Moore poses for photographers at the photo call for the film 'The Room Next Door' during the 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Julianne Moore, left, and Tilda Swinton pose for photographers upon arrival for the premiere of the film 'The Room Next Door' during the 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Daniel Craig poses for photographers at the photo call for the film 'Queer' during the 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Tilda Swinton takes a selfie upon arrival for the premiere of the film 'Queer' during the 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Tilda Swinton, left, and Pedro Almodovar pose for photographers upon arrival for the premiere of the film 'Queer' during the 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Venice Film Festival Artistic Director Alberto Barbera, from left, Lady Gaga and Pietrangelo Buttafuoco pose for photographers upon arrival for the premiere of the film 'Joker: Folie A Deux' during the 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)