Christian Moore delivered a two-out, bases-loaded infield single in the 11th inning as the Los Angeles Angels beat the Minnesota Twins 6-5 on Saturday night at Angel Stadium.
Moore’s grounder deflected off reliever Taylor Rogers, allowing Zach Neto to score the winning run. The Angels forced extra innings when Vaughn Grissom hit a game-tying solo homer in the ninth.
Los Angeles also received a two-run homer from Jose Siri and a two-run pinch-hit double from Adam Frazier. The Angels erased a three-run deficit over the final four innings before completing the comeback in the 11th.
Siri Provides Early Power
Minnesota starter Joe Ryan kept the Angels from scoring through the first three innings before Siri broke through in the fourth.
Siri connected for a two-run homer, giving Los Angeles its first runs of the night.
Ryan prevented the Angels from doing additional damage during his five innings.
The right-hander allowed two runs on seven hits and struck out five.
Minnesota also found success against Angels starter Reid Detmers.
The Twins scored four runs on six hits during his five innings. Detmers struck out five but could not keep Minnesota from building an advantage.
Ryan Kreidler added to the Twins’ offense with a solo homer in the fifth.
Detmers reached another season milestone despite the four runs.
His five strikeouts increased his season total to 204, the most by an Angels pitcher since Shohei Ohtani recorded 219 in 2022.
Frazier Cuts Into Twins’ Lead
Minnesota eventually carried a 5-2 advantage into the late innings.
Los Angeles began its comeback in the eighth against reliever Yoendrys Gomez.
Frazier entered as a pinch hitter with an opportunity to cut into the deficit.
He drove a double down the right-field line, bringing home two runs and trimming Minnesota’s lead to 5-4.
The hit immediately put the Angels within one run and set up another opportunity in the ninth.
Minnesota still had the lead when A.J. Minter entered to protect it.
Grissom made sure the game continued.
Grissom Ties Game in Ninth
The Angels were three outs away from a loss when Grissom came to the plate against Minter.
Grissom drove a solo home run to tie the game at 5-5.
The homer completed Los Angeles’ comeback from the three-run deficit and sent the game toward extra innings.
Neither team scored again in regulation.
The Twins then created an opportunity to regain the lead in the 10th.
With one out, Royce Lewis lifted a shallow fly ball toward right fielder Josh Lowe.
Ben Ross tagged from third and attempted to score.
Lowe came up throwing.
His strong one-bounce throw reached catcher Moisés Ballesteros, who applied a sweeping tag to Ross at the plate.
The play completed an inning-ending double play and kept the game tied.
Angels Miss Chance in 10th
Los Angeles could not capitalize immediately after Lowe’s defensive play.
The Angels went through the bottom of the 10th without scoring the winning run, sending the game to an 11th inning.
Minnesota also failed to score in the top half.
Tayler Saucedo handled the inning for Los Angeles and kept the Twins off the board.
The scoreless appearance ultimately earned Saucedo the win and improved his record to 1-1.
That gave the Angels another chance to finish the game in the bottom of the inning.
Moore Delivers Walk-Off Hit
Neto began the bottom of the 11th as the automatic runner.
Los Angeles eventually loaded the bases against Rogers, but the Twins moved within one out of escaping.
Moore came to the plate with two outs and the bases full.
The Angels did not need a deep drive.
Moore hit a ground ball back toward the mound. It struck Rogers’ leg and stayed in the infield.
The deflection gave Neto enough time to score from third before Minnesota could record an out.
The infield single ended the game and gave Los Angeles a 6-5 win.
Rogers took the loss and fell to 6-4 after working 1 2/3 innings.
Late Comeback Changes Game
The Angels had trailed 5-2 before their offense came alive in the eighth.
Frazier’s pinch-hit double produced two runs and reduced the deficit to one.
Grissom then tied the game with his ninth-inning homer.
Los Angeles also needed a key defensive play to remain even in extra innings.
Lowe’s throw from right field stopped Ross from scoring in the 10th and gave the Angels an opportunity to extend the game.
Saucedo followed with a scoreless 11th before Moore provided the final hit.
The comeback allowed Los Angeles to overcome a night in which Detmers surrendered four runs over five innings.
Detmers Reaches 200-Strikeout Mark
Although Detmers did not factor into the decision, his strikeout total continued to rise during his final starts of the season.
The left-hander finished Saturday with five strikeouts, pushing his season total to 204.
That made him the first Angels pitcher since Ohtani in 2022 to reach that level.
Detmers allowed six hits and four runs during his five innings.
Ryan produced a similar workload for Minnesota, completing five innings while allowing seven hits and two runs.
Neither starter was involved in the decision after the game changed dramatically against the bullpens.
Twins Face Difficult Wild-Card Position
The loss left Minnesota with only a narrow mathematical path to an American League wild-card spot.
The Twins remained at least 6 1/2 games behind five teams competing for the final playoff position with seven games remaining.
Saturday’s result made that situation even more difficult.
Minnesota carried a three-run lead into the eighth but could not close out the game.
Frazier and Grissom erased the advantage before Lowe’s defensive play denied the Twins a potential go-ahead run in the 10th.
Moore then ended the game an inning later with the Angels’ final infield hit.
Up Next
The Twins and Angels conclude their series Sunday in Anaheim.
Minnesota right-hander Dean Kremer is scheduled to start with a 3-5 record and a 5.35 ERA.
The Angels will counter with right-hander Ryan Johnson, who enters the matchup at 5-8 with a 4.88 ERA.
