In a high scoring game like this, weeding through the highlights so you don’t have a mammoth postgame is a challenge.
The Royals and Angels scored twice each in the fourth inning and the score remained unchanged until the top of the sixth when the red hot Zach Neto did some damage.
That kicked off a 3 run top of the sixth that gave the Angels a 5-2 lead. Tyler Anderson was cruising and the game seemed to be in control. When the Angels tacked on 2 more in the top of the seventh inning, the game seemed to be in hand.
Kevin Pillar had an epic at bat to punch in one of those Angels runs. 14 pitches from former Halo Chris Stratton resulted in an RBI flyout with the bases loaded.
Maybe that long break got to Anderson, maybe he was simply good for 80 odd pitches and no more. Whatever the reason, Tyler immediately coughed up 3 runs to make this a close game at 7-5. Bobby Witt Jr. swung a great bat tonight and scorched an RBI double in this frame.
But the offense for the Angels was not done. 2 insurance runs were scored in the top of the ninth inning and both were highlight reel worthy. First Jo Adell cracked a double, scoring Anthony Rendon from first after a replay review overturned an out call.
Then Adell scored on a perfectly executed squeeze play. A perfectly executed squeeze play is probably the best play in all of the game.
Working 9 to 5, working 9 to 5…..
Three outs stood behind the Angels and a workday schedule score win. Ben Joyce came in and got them, helped by an absolute web gem by Lopez and punctuated by 2 straight 105 MPH heaters to Witt Jr.
Light up the Halo! The kids are raking and the Angels are in the win column!
