Schanuel’s Ninth-Inning Walk Sends Angels Past Rangers 6-5 in Dramatic Finish

Angelo Apuli
3 Min Read
Jul 8, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels first base Nolan Schanuel (18) runs after hitting an RBI single against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Nolan Schanuel worked a walk with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, lifting the Los Angeles Angels to a thrilling 6-5 victory over the Texas Rangers on Monday night at Angel Stadium.

Travis d’Arnaud delivered early with a two-run homer off Rangers ace Jacob deGrom and drove in three total runs for the Angels.

Corey Seager started the scoring for Texas with a two-run homer off Yusei Kikuchi just two batters into the game. Josh Smith later tied the game 5-5 in the eighth inning with an RBI double.

In the bottom of the ninth, Luis Rengifo led off with a double against Chris Martin (0-5) and moved to third on Kevin Newman’s single. Zach Neto was intentionally walked to load the bases, setting up a lefty-on-lefty showdown between Schanuel and Hoby Milner. Down 0-2 in the count, Schanuel showed poise and patience, ultimately taking a 3-2 changeup low for a walk—his second career walk-off RBI.

Earlier in the sixth inning, the Angels rallied from a one-run deficit. With two outs, Rengifo singled, d’Arnaud drove him in with a double, and LaMonte Wade Jr. added a pinch-hit RBI single to give the Angels a 5-4 lead.

The Rangers tied it up in the eighth when Jake Burger reached on a strikeout and wild pitch and came around to score from first on Smith’s double off reliever Sam Bachman.

Both starting pitchers—deGrom and Kikuchi—entered with All-Star resumes but delivered pedestrian outings. DeGrom allowed three runs over five innings, while Kikuchi gave up four runs over the same span.

Key Moment

The Rangers threatened in the top of the ninth when Sam Haggerty reached on a Zach Neto error. But Luis Rengifo turned a scorching 106.5 mph grounder from Seager into a 4-6-3 double play. Kenley Jansen (2-2) then froze Marcus Semien on a called third strike to keep the game tied heading into the bottom of the inning.

Key Stat

Mike Trout’s sacrifice fly in the first inning, followed by d’Arnaud’s two-run blast in the second, ended Jacob deGrom’s franchise-record streak of 14 straight starts allowing two or fewer earned runs while pitching at least five innings—a run dating back to April 18.

Up Next

The series continues Tuesday with Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (5-3, 1.75 ERA) taking the mound against Angels righty José Soriano (6-5, 3.72 ERA).