In a tightly contested game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, the Los Angeles Angels edged out the Kansas City Royals with a 3–2 victory. The win boosted the Angels’ record to 71-87, firmly placing them fifth in the AL West. Meanwhile, the Royals dropped to an even 79-79, holding on to third place in the AL Central.
With the temperature hitting a scorching 100 degrees under clear skies, the game kicked off with a 5 mph wind blowing out to right field. The ballpark saw a turnout of 29,266 fans eager to witness the late-season encounter. The umpiring crew for the evening included Phil Cuzzi behind the plate and Jonathan Parra, Chad Fairchild, and Clint Vondrak on the bases.
A Strong Start for the Angels
The Angels got on the board early, scoring a run in the second inning and adding more in the third and fourth innings. Taylor Ward played a pivotal role, hitting a home run in the third inning. Yusei Kikuchi, who started for the Angels, pitched five strong innings, allowing just one hit and one earned run while striking out six.
Kikuchi’s performance earned him his seventh win of the season, improving his ERA to 3.99. Los Angeles managed six hits in total, with key contributions from Luis Rengifo and Oscar Peraza, who both added doubles to the team’s tally.
Royals’ Efforts Fall Short
Kansas City’s Stephen Kolek took the loss after pitching six innings, giving up three runs (two earned) and striking out two. Randal Grichuk provided a spark for the Royals with a solo home run, his first of the season. However, the team could only muster two hits throughout the game, with a single RBI from Carter Jensen.
The Royals attempted a comeback with a run in the fifth and another in the seventh, but their efforts were insufficient. While Josh Bowlan and the bullpen held the Angels scoreless in the final innings, the early deficit proved too much to overcome.
Looking Ahead
The Angels’ bullpen effectively closed out the game, with Kenley Jansen sealing the win with a two-strikeout performance in the ninth inning. Jansen’s efforts secured his ERA at a tidy 2.64. The team will look to carry this momentum into their next games against the Royals and the Astros at home.
For the Royals, the series continues with another game against the Angels before they head to Sutter Health Park to face the Athletics. With just a few games left in the regular season, Kansas City will be aiming to finish above .500.
Both teams are eager to wrap up their seasons on a high note. With the postseason out of reach, they’ll focus on player development and evaluating their rosters for the next year. As the season winds down, each game still offers a chance to shine and build toward future success.
