Jeff McNeil tied the game with a ninth-inning home run before Tyler Soderstrom delivered the winning hit in the 10th as the Athletics defeated the Los Angeles Angels 6-5 on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium.
The Athletics erased a late deficit and handed the Angels another difficult loss during a brutal stretch for Los Angeles. The Angels have now dropped 23 of their last 29 games after failing to protect a lead entering the ninth inning.
McNeil’s game-tying homer off closer Kirby Yates shifted momentum late, and Soderstrom’s RBI single in extra innings completed another comeback for the Athletics. Los Angeles threatened in the bottom of the 10th with the bases loaded, but Hogan Harris escaped the jam and secured the win.
The game featured early offense, shaky pitching and another late collapse by an Angels bullpen that has struggled to close games consistently.
McNeil Changes Momentum In The Ninth
The Angels appeared close to ending their recent slide after reliever Sam Bachman delivered a clean eighth inning and handed the ball to Yates for the ninth.
Instead, the Athletics quickly changed the game.
McNeil opened the inning by turning on a pitch and curling a home run just inside the right-field foul pole. The solo shot tied the game at 5-5 and stunned the crowd at Angel Stadium.
The homer marked McNeil’s second of the season and immediately placed pressure back on the Angels, who have struggled repeatedly in late innings during recent weeks.
The Athletics nearly added more damage later in the inning after Carlos Cortes walked and Shea Langeliers reached after being hit by a pitch. Angels reliever Tayler Saucedo escaped further trouble by getting Nick Kurtz to tap a comebacker to the mound.
The damage, however, was already done.
Soderstrom Delivers In Extra Innings
The Athletics completed the comeback in the 10th inning against Angels reliever Chase Silseth.
After advancing the automatic runner into scoring position, Soderstrom lined an RBI single that brought home the go-ahead run and gave the Athletics a 6-5 lead.
Silseth allowed the run despite not surrendering an earned run in the inning. Defensive positioning and situational execution were again issues for the Angels in another close loss.
Los Angeles still had an opportunity to respond in the bottom half.
The Angels loaded the bases with two outs against Hogan Harris and brought Jorge Soler to the plate, representing the potential winning run. Harris stayed composed and got Soler to ground out, ending the game and sealing another frustrating defeat for Los Angeles.
Angels Jump Ahead Early
Offense dominated the opening innings as both teams attacked aggressively from the start.
The Angels built a 5-3 lead behind home runs from Soler, Jo Adell, and Josh Lowe.
Soler connected for a two-run homer in the first inning to give Los Angeles an early advantage. Adell followed with a solo shot in the second before Lowe added a two-run drive off Athletics starter Aaron Civale.
For a short time, the Angels’ lineup looked explosive and in control.
The Athletics responded quickly, however.
Soderstrom delivered a two-run single during the first inning, and Henry Bolte later scored after Lowe misplayed a ball in left field during the second inning. Defensive mistakes again proved costly for Los Angeles during important moments.
The back-and-forth scoring created an early high-scoring atmosphere before both pitching staffs eventually settled.
Kochanowicz Recovers After Shaky Start
Angels starter Jack Kochanowicz struggled badly with command early but recovered impressively through the middle innings.
The right-hander walked four batters and hit another during the opening two innings. Despite the traffic, he limited the damage and eventually settled into a strong rhythm.
From the third through the sixth inning, Kochanowicz retired 12 consecutive hitters and struck out six during that stretch. His fastball command improved significantly after the rough beginning, and he consistently generated swings and misses.
The outing represented another encouraging step for the young right-hander, even though the Angels ultimately wasted the effort late.
Kochanowicz left with the lead intact before the bullpen failed to finish the game.
Athletics Bullpen Stabilizes Late
After Civale exited early, the Athletics bullpen gradually regained control of the game.
Scott Barlow pitched a scoreless ninth inning and earned the win before Harris escaped the bases-loaded threat in the 10th for the save.
The Athletics also capitalized on several Angels bullpen mistakes earlier in the game.
Ryan Zeferjahn hit two batters in the seventh inning, helping the Athletics create another scoring opportunity. Nick Kurtz later added an RBI single against Bachman that trimmed the Angels lead to 5-4 and set the stage for McNeil’s late homer.
The Athletics remained patient offensively throughout the game and repeatedly forced the Angels into stressful situations.
Angels Continue Difficult Stretch
The loss added another frustrating chapter to a difficult month for Los Angeles.
The Angels continue to receive occasional offensive production and solid starting pitching, but late-inning execution has repeatedly undermined those efforts.
Bullpen instability, defensive lapses, and inconsistent situational hitting have all contributed to the team’s collapse over the last several weeks.
Wednesday’s game followed a familiar pattern. The Angels built an early lead, received a solid start, and still could not close out the win.
For the Athletics, the comeback reinforced the club’s growing confidence in tight games and highlighted the contributions of younger players like Soderstrom and Kurtz.
Up Next
The series concludes Thursday night at Angel Stadium.
Athletics right-hander Luis Severino is scheduled to face Angels right-hander José Soriano in the finale.