Sports

Angels Score 4 In Ninth Inning To Beat Blue Jays, 5-4

May 23, 2018 / 9:02 PM PDT / KCAL News

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TORONTO (AP) -- Shohei Ohtani hit a tying two-run single in the ninth inning, Andrelton Simmons added another two-run hit and the Los Angeles Angels rallied to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 on Wednesday night.

Toronto turned to Tyler Clippard (4-2) in the ninth to protect a 3-1 lead, but he loaded the bases with consecutive walks to Mike Trout, Justin Upton and Albert Pujols.

Ohtani broke his bat but lined a single to center for his first hit of the series, and Simmons chased Clippard with a single through the drawn-in infield.

Pinch-hitter Kendrys Morales hit an RBI double off Angels reliever Blake Parker in the ninth, but right fielder Kole Calhoun kept the Angels in front by throwing out Curtis Granderson as he tried to score from third on a fly ball. Calhoun entered the day tied for the major league lead with six outfield assists.

Trout went 1 for 2 with three walks, raising his major league-leading total to 45, as the Angels scored more than three runs for just the second time in 11 games.

The Angels came in 0-18 when trailing after eight innings.

Justin Anderson (1-1) pitched one inning for the win and Parker survived a shaky ninth to record his third save. Parker struck out Justin Smoak to end it, stranding runners at first and second.

Yangervis Solarte and Devon Travis hit solo home runs for the Blue Jays, who have lost 13 of 17 at home.

The Angels won despite having two runners thrown out at third base in the same inning by left fielder Granderson.

Zack Cozart was the first victim, getting caught too close to second base after a sliding Granderson couldn't handle Calhoun's sinking liner in the sixth. Granderson scrambled to his feet and threw to third in time to get Cozart, who stumbled over the bag as he tried to avoid Josh Donaldson's tag.

The inning ended when Calhoun was thrown out trying to go from first to third on Trout's two-out single. Calhoun was tagged out before Martin Maldonado could score from second base, costing the Angels a run. Los Angeles challenged the play, but umpire Mike DiMuro's call stood.

Simmons made the defensive play of the game at shortstop, a leaping catch on Donaldson's line drive to end the seventh. Donaldson's liner had an exit velocity of 113 mph.

Los Angeles left-hander Tyler Skaggs allowed three runs and six hits in five innings.

Blue Jays right-hander Aaron Sanchez gave up two hits in five scoreless innings and matched a season high with five walks.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Blue Jays: Manager John Gibbons said RHP Sam Gaviglio will start at Philadelphia on Friday, his second straight start in place of injured RHP Marcus Stroman (shoulder).

UP NEXT

Angels: RHP Nick Tropeano (1-3, 4.45) faces Blue Jays RHP Marco Estrada (2-4, 5.15) in Thursday afternoon's series finale. Tropeano will make his first career start against Toronto. Estrada is winless in five straight outings.