After two pretty crazy games, the Angels and Nationals settled in to a tight, close affair on Sunday afternoon in Anaheim. While many baseball games are won on great plays, the Angels lost this one due to shoddy defense.
Taylor Ward kicked off the scoring with an RBI double in the bottom of the first inning.
Two runners were left on that inning, which would be a bit of a theme on the day. Washington scored in the top of the 4th and 5th innings to take a 2-1 lead. It would have been 3-1 if not for a nifty defensive play by Logan O’Hoppe.
Jo Adell got that run back in the 6th with an RBI single to extend his hitting streak.
Christian Moore is earning a reputation for being clutch and he added to his lore today, punching in Jo Adell on a two out single.
The twists and turns were just beginning at this point, though. Washington would tie the game at 3 in the top of the 7th. After having a great game last night, Kevin Newman simply misplayed a pop up in the sun and allowed a double and a runner to come all the way around from first. Newman’s was far from the only defensive miscue by the Angels, but this one was critical.
Not to be outdone on the miscues front, Washington then allowed Luis Rengifo to score on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 7th to stake the Angels to a late 4-3 lead. Detmers in the 8th followed by Jansen in the 9th should be all the Angels neeeded.
But Jansen blew his first save of the year; starting the 9th inning with a walk that came back to haunt. He kept the score knotted at 4-4, giving the Angels a chance to win it in walk off fashion.
Christian Moore led off the home half of the 9th with a walk but the Angels could not bring him home. Extra innings we go.
Connor Brogdon did a nice job and kept the Nationals off the board in the top of the 10th inning. The Angels started the bottom half with the speedy Zach Neto on second base and the top of the lineup due up. Washington kept Brandon Finnegan on the hill for a second inning and he kept the Angels scoreless.
Brogdon was unable to match Finnegan and the Nationals took a 7 to 4 lead in the top of the 11th. Brandon Finnegan pitched the 11th as well for the Nats and secured the win.