The Los Angeles Angels came into the series with the Philadelphia Phillies playing on two opposite ends, but after a high-scoring three-game set, they proved their offense can hang with one of the best in Major League Baseball.
With an opportunity to cap off the month of August with back-to-back series wins, the Angels sent Lucas Giolito to the mound in the opener, followed up with Tyler Anderson in the middle game. Both of which were unable to find it, which proved to be a difficult task to overcome.
The finale avoided a complete sour note, and Angels manager Phil Nevin watched as his offense fire five homers over the three-game stretch. Luis Rengifo and Brandon Drury had terrific production, the latter tallying five hits, including five RBI and a huge go-ahead home run in the finale.
Unfortunately, the Angels’ staff was unable to quiet a scorching Phillies offense that put up 26 runs over the three-game stretch.
Game 1: Phillies def. Angels 6-4
Rengifo kicked off the scoring early on with an RBI single in the first inning, a lead that grew to 3-1. But a pair of early homers from Trea Turner and Bryce Harper notched the game at 3-3 through four frames.
Turner would strike the next blow in the bottom of the fifth after he slugged his 17th home run of the season when Giolito hung an 0-2 slider. The Angels would tack on one more run, but former teammate Brandon Marsh knocked in a run in the eighth, bringing the score to 6-4.
Phillies closer Craig Kimbrel worked a spotless ninth inning, earning his 21st save of the season.
Game 2: Phillies def. Angels 12-7
Five home runs made the middle game full of fireworks, including a three-hit performance from Angels outfielder Randal Grichuk.
Early scoring and some back and forth long balls notched the score at 2-2 until Regnifo launched his second home run of the game in the fourth inning. The Angels utility man fired a solo shot 409 feet, but the Phillies answered back when Alec Bohm fired a go-ahead shot in the sixth inning.
Turner continued his torrid month of August, slugging a two-run triple in the eighth, and the Phillies wouldn’t look back.
Game 3: Angels def. Phillies 10-8
The final game for a number of Angels players, including Hunter Renfroe, Matt Moore, Reynaldo López, Dominic Leone, and Lucas Giolito, they found a way to squander a game with a late push.
Renfroe totaled a 3-for-4 day, adding a double and a home run with four RBI. Fellow right-hander Drury was key, however, when he stepped up in the ninth inning after the Angels battled way back to notch the game at eight a piece.
Drury took an outer-half four seam fastball into the right-field seats, and Angels closer Carlos Estévez was able to tally his 29th save of the season.
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