Luis Rengifo came through with a go-ahead RBI single in the eighth inning, backing a strong outing from Yusei Kikuchi as the Los Angeles Angels edged the Cincinnati Reds 2-1 on Wednesday night.
Bryce Teodosio sparked the winning rally with a leadoff double against reliever Graham Ashcraft (7-5), then advanced to third on a wild pitch. After Oswald Peraza grounded out, Rengifo blooped a single just over third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes’ glove to give the Angels the lead.
Reid Detmers (4-3) worked a clean eighth to earn the win, and with closer Kenley Jansen sidelined by a rib-cage injury, Luis Garcia closed out the ninth for his first save.
Both starters were sharp but left with no-decisions. Reds right-hander Nick Martinez allowed just two hits and one run in six innings, while Kikuchi scattered seven hits and one run over seven frames. The lefty escaped key jams, stranding runners at the corners in the second and pitching out of a two-on, no-out threat in the sixth.
Cincinnati opened the scoring in the third when Hayes doubled and scored on Noelvi Marte’s two-out single. The Angels tied it an inning later on Yoán Moncada’s ninth home run of the season, a shot to left-center.
Angels shortstop Zach Neto exited in the sixth with left-wrist soreness after being hit by a pitch earlier in the game.
Key Moment:
In the sixth, a miscommunication between Teodosio and right fielder Jo Adell allowed Marte’s routine fly to fall for a hit, putting two on with no outs. Kikuchi responded by retiring Elly De Los Angeles Cruz, Miguel Andújar, and Hayes to keep the game tied.
Key Stat:
Kikuchi had struggled with efficiency in recent outings, averaging 101 pitches through five innings in his last four starts. On Wednesday, he needed only 88 pitches to complete seven innings.
Up Next:
Both teams have Thursday off. The Reds head to Arizona with Zack Littell (9-8, 3.52 ERA) starting Friday. The Angels return home to face the Cubs, with Tyler Anderson scheduled to take the mound.
