Los Angeles Angels beginning pitcher Tyler Anderson throws within the first inning of a baseball recreation in opposition to the Los Angeles Angels in Toronto, Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press through AP)
Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates within the dugout after scoring on a sacrifice fly by teammate Hunter Renfroe (not proven) within the third inning of a baseball recreation in opposition to the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto, Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press through AP)
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani flips his hair as he fixes his helmet throughout his at-bat within the first inning of a baseball recreation in opposition to the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto, Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press through AP)
Los Angeles Angels proper fielder Mickey Moniak (16) catches a flyout by Toronto Blue Jays’ Matt Chapman (not proven) in the course of the third inning of a baseball recreation in Toronto, Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press through AP)
Los Angeles Angels’ Hunter Renfroe, heart, celebrates after his successful two-run house run within the tenth inning of a baseball recreation in opposition to the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto, Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press through AP)
The Angels’ Mike Moustakas (8) and Hunter Renfroe (12) rejoice after Renfroe’s two-run house run within the tenth inning of a baseball recreation in opposition to the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto, Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press through AP)
TORONTO — The Angels got here to Toronto with excessive hopes of constructing up extra floor within the playoff race.
They left ecstatic that they didn’t lose any extra.
After Hunter Renfroe’s two-run homer within the tenth lifted the Angels to a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday, salvaging the third recreation of the sequence, Phil Nevin conceded the apparent.
“We misplaced two out of three, so it’s not what we deliberate on doing coming in right here,” the Angels supervisor stated. “We are saying they’re all vital and also you don’t need to put any extra on one recreation than one other, however to say this one was wanted proper now’s an understatement.”
The Angels got here into Toronto trailing the Blue Jays by three video games within the race for an American League wild-card spot, and so they depart city down by 4 video games.
“Each recreation is admittedly vital however this one was just a little extra vital than what we confronted all through this street journey already,” stated nearer Carlos Estévez, whose uncommon two-inning outing was a sign of the urgency with which the Angels performed this recreation.
Hours after the sport, the Angels swung a commerce with the Colorado Rockies for first baseman C.J. Cron and outfielder Randal Grichuk, which might assist with the offensive outage that their injury-ravaged lineup has suffered these days.
The Angels scored simply 5 runs within the three video games in Toronto. They have been hitless in 17 at-bats with runners in scoring place on Friday and Saturday, and on Sunday they have been 0 for 10 when Renfroe stepped to the plate with Mike Moustakas at third within the tenth.
“I wasn’t actually attempting to hit a homer there,” Renfroe stated. “I used to be attempting to ensure I hit the ball and I get the man in.”
The truth that Renfroe might take a managed swing and nonetheless get the ball out was proof of how a lot better he’s been feeling on the plate these days.
Renfroe had been coping with a sore shoulder, in response to Nevin. His three-hit recreation on Sunday was his third in a five-game stretch, together with each video games of Thursday’s doubleheader. He’s 11 for 19 with two homers in that span.
“I really feel good,” Renfroe stated. “Physique’s lastly wholesome just a little bit for me, stronger. So I gotta go on the market and simply proceed my rhythm on the plate. Proceed my stuff within the cage. Preserve robust, keep wholesome. I believe it’s gonna be the most important factor for me.”
After Renfroe put the Angels forward 3-1, Estévez needed to get three outs by way of the center of the Blue Jays’ order, with the automated runner beginning at second.
Estévez, who had thrown 13 pitches in an ideal ninth, gave up a single to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., bringing house one run. He then walked Matt Chapman.
Pitching coach Matt Clever got here to the mound.
“Don’t fear, we’re going to be wonderful,” Estévez stated he informed Clever. “We’re going to win this recreation.”
Estévez then struck out George Springer and Cavan Biggio and he acquired Danny Jansen on a flyout.
Estévez completed the job began by Tyler Anderson, who saved the Angels in it regardless of their failure to supply a lot offense. Anderson, who’s seemingly now the Angels’ No. 6 starter, gave up one run in 6⅓ innings.
After a tough begin to the season, Anderson has settled in and produced extra just like the pitcher the Angels anticipated based mostly on his profession observe file. He has a 3.53 ERA in seven begins since June 18.
Matt Moore picked up 5 outs earlier than Estévez recorded the ultimate six.
“That’s what it seems like, a crew effort,” Estévez stated. “Everybody was like, ‘We’ve acquired to win this one. This can be a large recreation.’ And that’s what we did on the market.”
