Chat » be a key part of the Toronto rotation this season.

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Even after every momentum swing, dramatic hit and terrible relief performance in an 11-inning game, the Oakland Athletics still were unshakably confident somebody would pull them through. Josh Donaldson and Jim Johnson stepped up and got it done. Donaldson drove in Jed Lowrie with an 11th-inning double, and the As overcame Mike Trouts tying homer in the ninth for a 10-9 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night. The AL-leading As have won four straight and eight of nine largely because of their strength in tough situations, a product of back-to-back playoff appearances. Even Trouts dramatic two-run shot off Sean Doolittle didnt shake Oaklands belief. "It seemed like it was only a matter of time before we put a run across and figured out how to get a win," Doolittle said. "Weve been playing great this whole road trip, and we scrapped and clawed and came from behind. Theres a sense in this clubhouse that if the game is close or tied, were going to figure out a way to get it done. Whos it going to be this time?" Lowrie led off the 11th with a single against Yoslan Herrera (0-1), and Donaldson hit a sharp grounder inside third base. Johnson (2-2) pitched two gritty innings for Oakland, getting Howie Kendrick on a groundout with Trout and Albert Pujols in scoring position to end the As 15th win in 21 games at Angel Stadium. "It was one of the first times all year that our starting pitching struggled," Donaldson said. "The ninth inning happened, but we were able to come back and get it. Our pitching and defence have been doing really well this year, and tonight it was our offence picking them up." Both teams erased late three-run deficits during two dismal bullpen performances. The Angels trailed 9-6 in the eighth after leading 6-3 heading to the seventh. "It felt like three different games," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. "We got behind early and came roaring back again, but give them credit. The momentum shifts go back and forth, and it comes down to will." Brandon Moss, Alberto Callaspo and pinch-hitter Derek Norris had RBI singles during a four-run eighth for the As. One night after Angels closer Ernesto Frieri blew a one-run lead, newcomer Joe Smith squandered a 6-5 advantage by giving up four runs, three hits and two walks without getting an out. "I was absolutely terrible out there," Smith said. "Theres no other way to say it. Thats as bad as Ive ever performed. Weve got to get some stuff figured out, as far as the late innings go in the bullpen. I mean, its no secret right now. Me and Ernie, weve got to win those games — especially against this team." The Angels third loss in four games came with more bad news: Leadoff hitter Kole Calhoun is headed to the disabled list after turning his right ankle while running out a grounder in the 11th inning. Smith even blamed himself for Calhouns injury. "When one of your guys goes down in the late innings, where if you just do your job, the game is over and he doesnt get hurt, and we have one more guy healthy, thats what hurts the worst," he said. David Freese had an RBI single in the eighth for Los Angeles, and Calhoun led off the ninth with a double off Doolittle. Trout, who had three hits and drove in three runs, tied it with a no-doubt shot to left, his fifth homer of the season and the Angels major league-best 23rd of the year. Chris Iannetta had a two-run double for the Angels, who chased Dan Straily in the fourth inning before the bullpen gave it all back. Straily was the first As starter to give up more than three earned runs all season, yielding seven hits and six runs. The right-hander gave up more than three runs for the first time in nine starts since last Aug. 28. Garrett Richards pitched seven innings of eight-hit ball for the Angels, but Smiths meltdown denied him his third victory. NOTES: Pujols went 0 for 5, snapping his 10-game hitting streak. ... Iannetta stole his first base since Sept. 4, 2012, on a botched pitchout by Oakland. ... Manager Mike Scioscia said hitting coach Don Baylor could be back with the Angels in a limited pregame capacity when they return from a lengthy road trip later this month. Baylor broke his leg on opening day and isnt likely to be in the dugout during games for several weeks. Ecco Shoes Online Sale . Warren made six birdies and a bogey for a 5-under total of 139 to sit one shot ahead of Felipe Aguilar of Chile, who carded a 69. David Horsey of England was also on 5 under through 15 holes to join Warren atop the leaderboard before play was stopped. Discount Ecco Shoes Online . The 10-year deal the league and players agreed to that ended the 2011 lockout gave either side the right to opt out after six years. With the league projecting financial growth, there has been speculation that players will take that option in three years, especially since a new national TV contract will be in place by then. http://www.wholesaleecco.com/ . The 23-year-old McNabb was an All-Star with the American Hockey Leagues Rochester Americans this season, posting seven goals and 22 assists in 38 games. In 12 games with the Sabres this season, McNabb has accumulated six penalty minutes and a plus-1 rating. He has scored one goal and seven assists in 37 career games with the Sabres, who originally selected him in the third round (66th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Ecco Shoes Buy Online . -- Its been 21 years since Joe Gibbs Racing celebrated its only Daytona 500 victory. Ecco Shoes Clearance Sale . Ronaldo failed to connect on an ample number of opportunities at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. But Karim Benzema and Jese Rodriguez scored in each half for Madrid to come out of the first leg with the firm advantage.NASHVILLE -- Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne cant wait to test himself in a game. The Predators, who announced Wednesday that they are sending Rinne to their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee, are cautiously waiting to see if the two-time Vezina Trophy finalist can help them chase down a playoff berth. Both Rinne and the team will have a better idea of where he is after the conditioning assignment for games Friday and likely Sunday in this latest step in his recovery from an E. coli infection in his surgically repaired left hip. Rinne has been limited to only nine games this season. Coach Barry Trotz said the Predators will be monitoring Rinne after each practice and game. "Hes at a point where weve got to find out where he is game-wise and also body and mind," Trotz said of Rinne. The Predators start a five-game home stand Thursday night hosting Tampa Bay just four points back of the Western Conferences eighth and final playoff spot with 23 games remaining. They missed the playoffs last year for only the second time in nine seasons. How quickly Rinne rejoins them depends on how he fares in Milwaukee. Rinne practiced with the Predators on Wednesday before travelling to Milwaukee, and he called this a big day with doctors giving him the green light for the latest step in his long recovery. He has been sidelined since Oct. 24 for an infection in the hip surgically repaired May 9, and Rinne said hes focusing on getting his game back and help the Predators. "So far I feel really comfortable," Rinne said. "Im happy how things have gone in practice and how things have gone so far. I think Im actually a little bit surprised its been going so well. But like I said, its still a process but for sure I feel like Im really close to game shape andd now its just a final couple of games before I jump on the ice with the Nashville team.dddddddddddd" Rinne, 31, is sixth in the NHL with 152 wins since the 2008-09 season and has 30 shutouts since 2008-09, which leads all goalies during that time. He hasnt played since Oct. 22 in a 2-0 loss at Minnesota. He is 4-4-1 with a 2.31 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. The Predators have played four other goalies this season trying to make up for Rinnes absence. Currently, Carter Hutton is their starter, and he is 13-9-4 with a .904 save percentage and 2.87 goals-against average. Trotz said what theyve been missing without Rinne is a game-changer who can mean the difference in as many as 20 points in the standings each season. "Hes an elite goaltender and steals games maybe when you dont deserve it," Trotz said. "He can steal points." Trotz said theyre not sure what theyll see from Rinne. "Its not about Pekka coming back and being a saviour," Trotz said. "I think its Pekka coming back and adding to our mix. And if he can get his game to the level close to what hes capable of, were a better hockey team plain and simple. To me, its about Pekka for hopefully the next five or six years. Hes a difference maker." Captain Shea Weber, who practiced with the Predators on Wednesday after helping Canada win the Olympic gold medal Sunday in Sochi, said the Predators are definitely excited about the prospect of Rinne returning to the lineup as they try to chase down a playoff spot. "Weve been through a lot this year and to see what position we put ourselves in here four points out coming in its not going to be easy by any means," Weber said. "If anyone can do it, we can." ' ' '