ANAHEIM, California. – The Los Angeles Angels rebounded from a six-run deficit in the seventh inning and a three-run deficit in the ninth inning before walking off in the tenth inning to an unlikely Astros error.
The Halos can only hope their next win will be a little less grueling than the 13-12 victory that ended their six-game losing streak on Saturday night.
Shohei Ohtani hit his 33rd home run to give the Angels the winning hit in the ninth inning, and rookie Trey Cabbage scored after rookie shortstop Grae Kessinger’s throw in the tenth inning.
Kessinger threw wide at first base while attempting to transfer an easy double play to Taylor Ward’s grounder late in the inning. Cabbage scored in just his second major league game, sparking a wild cheer for the Angels that improbably capped their second win in 12 games.
“To say a win was necessary is an understatement,” said Angels manager Phil Nevin.
Kessinger came on at the bottom of the 10th inning after starting shortstop. Jeremy Peña suffered a right hamstring injury while batting in the top part of the inning. Houston’s starter Framber Valdez also left the game with an apparent left calf injury in the seventh round, but manager Dusty Baker said the team was confident both injuries were just cramps.
“They started attacking us everywhere,” Baker said. “You just hate ending the game like that. Just a terrible loss for us.”
AL West’s rivals combined for 18 runs in their last four innings, and Houston’s bullpen imploded, allowing for eight hits and eight runs — six earned.
The Angels drew 9-9 in the seventh round thanks to Mike Moustakas’ dramatic home run in three runs. Chas McCormick put Houston back in front with a two-run home run in the eighth, and Yainer Diaz added an RBI single in the ninth to put the Astros 12-9 ahead.
Star crosser Ryan Pressly hadn’t conceded a hit since June 15 before gambling away the three-run lead, starting with Ohtani’s 404-foot lead shot down the middle. Hunter Renfroe’s RBI single equalized in the ninth set, but Pressly ended up leaving two Angels in goal position.
“It gives us a lot of momentum for the future,” said Moustakas. “A lot happened during the game and we found a way to come back and win. That shows we can do it. Fantastic team win.”
All-Star finisher Carlos Estevez (3-1) pitched a goalless result for Los Angeles in the 10th inning, and Phil Maton (2-3) lost without conceding a hit.
Jose Abreu hit a three-run home run in a seventh inning with five runs for the Astros, but the Angels responded with an even bigger rallies that included rookie Zach Neto’s two-run home run.
Neto hit a follow-up goal against Valdez, who abruptly left a physical trainer two shots later, in the middle of Ohtani’s attack. Valdez hit his career high with 13 strikeouts but had seven hits and five runs on 103 pitches.
Kyle Tucker drove three runs for the Astros.
Reid Detmers had four runs with five hits and three walks over six innings for the Angels.
GOOD ANSWER
In the second inning, Luis Rengifo hit only his second home run since June 7th. The infielder was retired because of Friday’s loss when he failed to chase the ball after an error, allowing Houston’s runners to progress. Rengifo took responsibility for his mistake after the game.
TRAINING ROOM
Astros: Yordan Alvarez has been training in Houston and the hitter is doing better after falling ill earlier in the week, manager Dusty Baker said. Alvarez’s rehab for his right oblique strain was delayed due to his illness. Houston still doesn’t know when he will travel to Triple-A Sugar Land.
Angels: Ohtani is tentatively expected to make his next starting lineup against Pittsburgh on Friday, despite the minor finger injuries that have hampered his last three starts, Nevin said. Ohtani suffers from a blistered finger and a cracked fingernail. … Brandon Drury (pulled left shoulder) and rookie C Logan O’Hoppe (labrum) both started on the tee this weekend. Drury was injured on June 27 but hopes to return next week. O’Hoppe has been out since late April and is on course for a potential return in August.
NEXT
Houston’s Cristian Javier (7-1, 4.34 ERA) is seeking his first win in six starts in Sunday’s series finale when he meets the Halos’ Tyler Anderson (4-2, 5.25 ERA).
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