Yankees 3-4 Angels: Discredit goes to Rizzo, Holmes

New York Yankees’ Alex Verdugo reacts after striking out swinging during the fifth inning of the team’s baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif.
AP Photo/Ryan Sun
John Allen
Wednesday May 29, 2024

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New York Yankees 3-4 Los Angeles Angels

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Facing a four-game losing streak, the Los Angeles Angels turned the tide on Tuesday night with a comeback win, narrowly defeating the New York Yankees 4-3. The decisive moment came in the eighth inning when Taylor Ward delivered a crucial double into the left-center gap, bringing in the go-ahead run. Kevin Pillar also shone for the Angels, hitting a two-run homer and totaling three hits in the game.

In the eighth inning, as the Angels were behind, pinch-hitter Willie Calhoun ignited the momentum with a single. His role on the bases was taken over by Mickey Moniak. Then, with two outs, a mishap from Yankees’ first baseman Anthony Rizzo on Luis Rengifo’s grounder prolonged the inning, setting the stage for Taylor Ward’s heroic contribution.

Eighth Inning Rally Secures Comeback Win for Angels

Despite Nestor Cortes delivering a strong performance for the Yankees, the Los Angeles Angels fought back for a thrilling 4-3 victory. The pivotal moment unfolded in the eighth inning when Clay Holmes took over from Luke Weaver (3-1). Pinch-runner Mickey Moniak and Luis Rengifo, benefiting from an error by Anthony Rizzo, dashed across the plate following Taylor Ward’s clutch double that rolled all the way to the left-field wall. This win marked only the second time in 29 games that the Angels clinched victory after trailing post seven innings.

Matt Moore (1-1) sealed the win for the Angels, while Carlos Estévez secured the ninth inning for his eighth save.

On the Yankees’ side, slugger Juan Soto continued his red-hot streak, launching his fifth home run in the last seven games. Anthony Volpe remained a constant threat to the Angels, extending his hitting streak to 20 games with a pair of base knocks. This remarkable achievement equals Robinson Canó’s 2012 streak, marking the longest streak by a Yankees hitter in over a decade.

Nestor Cortes had been in top form prior to the game, boasting a streak of 15⅔ scoreless innings. However, Kevin Pillar broke that streak with a two-run homer in the very first inning, just barely clearing the short left-field wall. The Yankees retaliated in the fifth with Austin Wells driving in Anthony Rizzo on a double off the right-center wall. Gleyber Torres tried to capitalize on the momentum but was tagged out at home by Logan O’Hoppe after a relay throw from Kyren Paris.

Soto Shines But Yankees Fall Short in Tight Game

Juan Soto’s offensive prowess remained evident in the opening inning as he slammed his 15th home run of the season, positioning himself tied for sixth place in the majors. He capitalized on a full-count fastball from Griffin Canning, propelling it deep into the right-field corner, where it soared two-thirds up the lower deck.

But Soto’s impact didn’t halt there. In the fourth inning, he delivered a crucial base hit that brought DJ LeMahieu home, marking LeMahieu’s return to the field after a lengthy absence due to a foot fracture. This hit leveled the game at 2-2.

Nestor Cortes maintained his consistency with yet another impressive performance, conceding just two runs on five hits while striking out four batters across 5⅓ innings. This remarkable display extends Cortes’s streak of solid outings, during which he has allowed a mere three runs (two earned) over his last three starts, covering a total of 17⅓ innings.

On the opposing side, Griffin Canning grappled with his command, yielding three runs on nine hits and striking out five batters over five innings.

The Yankees Roster

Up Next

In the upcoming Wednesday matchup, the Yankees are entrusting the mound to a promising talent. Right-hander Luis Gil (6-1, 2.11 ERA) will lead the charge, currently sharing the second-highest number of wins in the American League. Meanwhile, the Angels will rely on left-hander Tyler Anderson (5-4, 2.52 ERA) to counter the Yankees’ offensive threats.

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