The Los Angeles Angels had their best offensive day in franchise history on Saturday, routing the Colorado Rockies in a matchup at Coors Field that fans may have guessed was a game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos at first glance.
The Angels picked up a 25-1 win over the Rockies, with Colorado’s lone run coming on a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Los Angeles also picked up 28 total hits in the game.
With 25 runs and 28 hits, the Angels set a new single-game franchise record in both categories, surpassing their previous highs of 24 runs and 26 hits, which both came on Aug. 25, 1979, against the Toronto Blue Jays. They also had 26 hits in a game on June 20, 1980, against the Boston Red Sox.
According to Dennis Georgatos of the Orange County Register, the 24-run differential was the Angels’ largest margin of victory in history, which surpassed a 22-run margin against the Blue Jays on Aug. 25, which left manager Phil Nevin happy with his club’s at-bats:
“We were aggressive. We attacked pitches in the zone,” Angels manager Phil Nevin said. “Hitting gets contagious sometimes and to be honest, we found some holes and then the big blows, we’re adding on runs.”
Their 25 runs also tied them for sixth in MLB history of most runs scored in a road game by an American League team, according to The Sporting News. The Texas Rangers hold the record when they put up 30 runs on Aug. 22, 2007, against the Baltimore Orioles.
The Angels scored 13 of their runs in the third inning and eight more in the fourth inning. Their 23 runs through four innings are the third most through the first four innings of a game in MLB history, trailing only the Chicago Cubs (25, Aug. 25, 1922) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (24, June 6, 1894), according to Elias Sports Bureau.
Mickey Moniak went 5-for-5 in the day, joining Hunter Renfroe with a perfect day in 5 at-bats:
“I don’t think I’ve ever been part of anything like that, just one after another,” Moniak said. “Just the quality of at bats we had today were incredible. That’s just what happens when you piece them together like that. Obviously, maybe not to that extent always, but you know, it was really fun to be a part of.”
Every starting player on the Angels had at least one hit, and eight of them had multiple hits. All three pinch hitters went hitless in their opportunities.
The Angels also hit five home runs, which came from Mike Trout, Brandon Drury, Matt Thaiss, David Fletcher and Moniak. Surprisingly, Shohei Ohtani had a quiet day, going 1-for-7 in his plate appearances.
Griffin Canning earned the win with six shutout innings before Kolton Ingram and Tucker Davidson pitched the final three innings.
Angels acquired Eduardo Escobar from Mets
The Angels acquired veteran infielder Eduardo Escobar and cash considerations from the New York Mets in exchange for a pair of Minor League pitchers, the club announced on Friday.
The Angels traded Coleman Crow (Angels’ No. 19 prospect) and Landon Marceaux (No. 20) in the deal after a growing need for infield help arose recently.
To open a spot on the 40-man roster, the Angels transferred Gio Urshela to the 60-day injured list. Urshela suffered a fractured pelvis, and is scheduled to undergo surgery, which will force him to miss the rest of the season.
Escobar went 2-for-4 with four runs scored and an RBI in his Angels debut on Saturday, starting at third base before being replaced by Kevin Padlo.
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