Soler's 9th-Inning Heroics Lift Angels to Comeback Win Over Blue Jays
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By Doug Hirdle
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Summary:
- Jorge Soler delivered a bases-clearing double in the bottom of the ninth to seal a 5-4 Los Angeles Angels victory against the Toronto Blue Jays.
- Toronto led 4-1 after a big seventh inning, highlighted by Bo Bichette’s two-run single.
- A key defensive double play by Yoan Moncada in the eighth helped keep the Angels within reach.
Jorge Soler delivered a clutch hit in the ninth inning, lining a double down the left-field line to clear the bases and push the Los Angeles Angels past the Toronto Blue Jays, 5-4, on Wednesday night in the MLB.
Pressure on Blue Jays
Down by two runs heading into the final frame, the Angels quickly put pressure on Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman (3-1).
Kyren Paris led off with a walk on four pitches, followed by back-to-back singles from Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel to load the bases with no outs.
Hoffman briefly regained control by striking out Taylor Ward, but Soler stepped up and ripped a double that slipped past left fielder Jonatan Clase and rolled into the corner, allowing all three runners to score and turning a 4-2 deficit into a walk-off win.
Toronto seemed in control earlier in the game, breaking a 1-1 tie in the seventh with a string of five consecutive hits.
Myles Straw drove in the go-ahead run with a single, and Bo Bichette followed with a two-run knock to stretch the lead to 4-1.
Jays starter José Berríos was sharp through six innings, allowing just two solo home runs, one each to Paris and Yoan Moncada, while striking out nine and walking five.
The 30-year-old Puerto Rican generated 18 swinging strikes in the outing.
Defensive Play Brought Victory to the Angels
The Angels got a solid effort from Yusei Kikuchi, who also worked six innings, surrendering one run on five hits. Brock Burke (3-0), the fifth reliever used by Los Angeles, pitched a clean ninth to earn the win.
A key defensive play kept the Angels within striking distance. In the eighth inning, with two on and one out, Moncada made a spectacular diving grab on a grounder by Straw.
He sprang up, stepped on third, and fired to first to complete an inning-ending double play, keeping the score at 4-2.
The Angels have now allowed nine bunt hits this season, tied with the Marlins for the most in MLB.
The series will wrap up on Thursday, when Toronto’s right-handed pitcher Chris Bassitt (2-2, 2.95 ERA) will go on the mound against Los Angeles RHP Jose Soriano (2-4, 3.83 ERA).
Can The Angels complete a whitewash against the Blue Jay? Get the best baseball odds with a selection of Canadian sportsbooks.
