Angels SS Andrelton Simmons was 2-5 at the plate with a pair of RBI and a run scored. He also made a huge diving catch as the Angels came from behind to beat the Blue Jays 5-4
Game highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd as Devon Travis homered to right
- The lead was doubled in the bottom of the 4th on a Yangervis Solarte HR
- The Blue Jays added to the lead in the bottom of the 5th as Solarte singled home Josh Donaldson
- Aaron Sanchez pitching line: 5IP 2H 0R 5BB 2K 97 pitches (53 for strikes)
- The Angels got on the board in the top of the 6th as Martin Maldanado singled home Andrelton Simmons
- Curtis Granderson made two huge plays in the outfield in the top of the 6th, throwing out both Zack Cozart and Kole Calhoun at third base to keep the Angels to a single run in the inning.
- Tyler Skaggs pitching line: 5IP 6H 3R (all earned) 0BB 6K 91 pitches (51 for strikes)
- The Angels tied it in the top of the 9th as Shohei Ohtani singled home Mike Trout and Justin Upton
- The next batter Simmons singled home Ohtani and Michael Hermosillo
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 9th as Kendrys Morales singled home Dwight Smith Jr.
- Final score: Angels 5 Blue Jays 4
- A running theme this season has been the inability of pitchers to go deep into ball games. Tonight, Aaron Sanchez could only get through 5 innings, forcing the Blue Jays to use 7 relievers on the night. This does not bode well with interleague play slated for the weekend. Also, now the relievers are less effective due to fatigue Sanchez has had an up and down season and today his command was off, as he allowed 5 walks on the night, which drove up his pitch count.
- Key play in the top of the 6th part 1: Curtis Granderson made a diving attempt on a fly ball hit by Kole Calhoun that he dropped. Granderson got up and threw out Zack Cozart at 3rd base to get the first out of the inning
- Key play in the 6th part 2: Granderson threw out Calhoun at third base for the third out. More importantly, Martin Maldanado had not crossed home plate before Josh Donaldson applied the tag on Calhoun, keeping the Blue Jays lead at 2
- If you like highlight reel catches, Andrelton Simmons made a terrific one robbing Josh Donaldson of a base hit to end the 7th. JD hit a screamer that looked like it was headed to the outfield but Simmons made an outstanding diving catch.
- The Blue Jays scored in multiple innings for the first time since Thursday.
- Russell Martin continues to struggle throwing out base runners. Tonight 2 Angels, Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani and Justin Upton stole 2nd base.
- Tyler Clippard blew the save, walking the bases loaded then giving up a 2 run single to Shohei Ohtani
- The Angels made a huge defensive play in the bottom of the 9th as Kole Calhoun threw out Curtis Granderson who tried to score on a Teoscar Hernandez fly ball
- Unfortunately the Blue Jays rally fell short as Justin Smoak struck out swinging to end the game
- Up next, the Blue Jays conclude the series and home stand as Marco Estrada takes on Angels righty Nick Tropeano. If you plan to watch the game tomorrow, you'd better either activate your Facebook account or sign up for one because Facebook is the only place to view tomorrow's rubber match.
