Two evenly matched teams played a very tight game tonight. The scoring kicked off when Kyren Paris launched a two run homer in the second inning.
That lead held for most of the game but turned into a deficit in the 7th inning. Ben Joyce got knocked around and the Rays took a 3-2 lead.
But that’s when Travis d’Arnaud stepped to the plate to even things up.
A scoreless frame by Brock Burke gave the Angels a chance to win it late. And that looked to be the case when Luis Rengifo came through with a clutch single to give the Angels a 4-3 lead in the top of the 9th.
Unfortunately, Luis Rengifo was then tasked with playing defense in the bottom of the 9th. First liner bounced off his glove for a leadoff single. Then he misplayed a sacrifice bunt and turned it into a hit.
Fortunately, he took the next chopper and delivered a strike home to cut down the runner. One out, tying run on third, go ahead run on first, and an erratic Kenley Jansen on the mound. It looked dire. But Kenley got a K to get to two outs.
The go ahead run took second base, but Jansen kept pounding the strike zone. He got another K and the game was over. Save number 450 for Jansen!
Light that baby up! What a great win to kick off the road trip.
