Mike Trout delivered a game-tying RBI single in the 10th inning before Wade Meckler followed with the winning hit as the Los Angeles Angels rallied for a 5-4 win over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday night.
The Angels had been one out away from a 3-1 win before rookie Walker Jenkins hit a two-run homer in the ninth. Minnesota then took the lead in the 10th, but Los Angeles answered with two runs in the bottom half.
The comeback preserved an outstanding start from Walbert Ureña, who pitched seven scoreless innings with a career-high nine strikeouts and no walks.
Angels Score Three in First
Los Angeles gave Ureña an early advantage against Minnesota starter Taj Bradley.
Bradley allowed four of his five hits during a three-run first inning as the Angels quickly moved ahead 3-0.
The right-hander recovered after the difficult opening frame.
Bradley completed seven innings and did not allow another run. He surrendered three runs on five hits while striking out nine and walking one.
That kept Minnesota close enough to make a late comeback.
Ureña was even better for Los Angeles.
The rookie right-hander kept the Twins scoreless throughout his seven innings and allowed only four hits.
Ureña struck out a career-high nine and did not issue a walk.
The performance lowered his ERA to 2.74 and put the Angels in position to protect a late lead.
Ureña Shuts Down Twins
Minnesota could not produce a run while Ureña remained on the mound.
He consistently stayed ahead of hitters and avoided the free passes that can create larger innings.
The Twins managed four hits but could not turn any of them into runs.
Ureña left after seven innings with Los Angeles still holding the advantage.
His nine strikeouts established a new career high and continued an impressive rookie season.
The Angels eventually carried a 3-1 lead into the ninth and turned the game over to hard-throwing closer Ben Joyce.
Los Angeles appeared to be moments away from completing the win.
Jenkins Ties Game in Ninth
Joyce opened the ninth by striking out Emmanuel Rodriguez.
He then retired Royce Lewis on another strikeout, moving the Angels within one out of a 3-1 win.
Victor Caratini kept Minnesota alive.
The Twins catcher singled to center with two outs, bringing Jenkins to the plate.
Jenkins entered the game hitting .089 with one home run through his first 16 major league appearances.
He delivered the biggest swing of his young career.
Joyce threw a 101-mph fastball, and Jenkins drove it toward center field.
Jose Siri raced back and leaped at the wall but could not make the catch.
The ball cleared his glove for a two-run homer, tying the game at 3-3 and sending it to extra innings.
Twins Take Lead in 10th
Minnesota carried its ninth-inning momentum into the 10th.
Brooks Lee delivered an RBI single that brought home the automatic runner and gave the Twins their first lead at 4-3.
Kody Clemens then dropped a sacrifice bunt that moved runners to second and third with one out.
The Twins had an opportunity to extend their lead, but Blake Weiman prevented further damage.
The Angels left-hander got Josh Bell to pop out to second base for the second out.
Los Angeles then intentionally walked pinch-hitter Ryan Jeffers to load the bases.
That brought Lewis to the plate with a chance to give Minnesota additional insurance.
Weiman struck him out to end the inning.
The escape kept the Angels within one run and proved critical moments later.
Trout Delivers Tying Hit
Siri started the bottom of the 10th at second base as the automatic runner.
Pinch-hitter Vaughn Grissom opened the inning with a fly ball to left field.
Siri tagged and advanced to third.
Zach Neto then drew a walk, putting runners at the corners and bringing Trout to the plate against Yoendrys Gomez.
Trout responded with a run-scoring single.
Siri came home to tie the game at 4-4, completing the Angels’ recovery after Minnesota had moved ahead in the top half.
The Twins then turned to left-hander Kody Funderburk.
Meckler ended the game before Minnesota could escape the inning.
Meckler Completes Comeback
Meckler came to the plate with Los Angeles needing one more hit to complete the comeback.
He delivered it against Funderburk.
Meckler singled to bring home the winning run and give the Angels a 5-4 result.
The hit ended a game that had changed dramatically over the final two innings.
Los Angeles had been one out from a two-run win in the ninth before Jenkins’ homer forced extra innings.
Minnesota then moved ahead in the 10th before Weiman escaped a bases-loaded threat.
That gave Trout and Meckler an opportunity to respond.
Trout tied the score, and Meckler finished the game.
Weiman earned the win and improved to 1-1 after his scoreless inning of relief.
Gomez took the loss and fell to 2-4.
Ureña’s Strong Start Preserved
The late drama nearly overshadowed Ureña’s seven scoreless innings.
He allowed four hits, struck out nine and did not walk a batter.
Minnesota could not solve him, and the Angels entered the late innings with control of the game.
Bradley also settled down after allowing three runs in the first.
He matched Ureña’s seven innings and recorded nine strikeouts, keeping the Twins within reach.
Minnesota eventually took advantage after Ureña departed, but Los Angeles recovered from the blown ninth-inning lead.
The Angels’ ability to limit the Twins to one run in the top of the 10th became especially important.
Weiman’s strikeout of Lewis left the bases loaded and kept the deficit at one.
Three batters into the bottom half, Trout had tied the game. Meckler then supplied the decisive hit.
Up Next
The series continues Friday night in Anaheim.
Twins left-hander Connor Prielipp is scheduled to start with a 5-7 record and a 5.24 ERA.
The Angels will counter with right-hander Grayson Rodriguez, who enters the matchup at 4-7 with a 6.10 ERA.
