Downing Co-Stars in This Late Show : His Home Run in Ninth Lets Joyner Beat Yankees in 10th

Another game, another tense late-inning rally. Welcome to Late Night with the California Angels.

In Wednesday night’s show, featuring the New York Yankees, the Angels trailed, 3-2, entering the bottom of the ninth inning at Anaheim Stadium.

Brian Downing stepped to the plate to face Dave Righetti. The crowd of 30,670 barely had a chance to begin their rhythmic clapping before Righetti delivered his first pitch.

Downing sent the ball high and deep into the left field seats for a home run and a 3-3 tie.

The Angels had two more runners reach base in the ninth, but the threat fizzled.

In the 10th, Wally Joyner singled home Devon White from third base for the winning run and a 4-3 victory. It was the Angels’ fourth consecutive victory in the late innings.

Saturday, they beat Boston with a three-run eighth inning, 8-5. Sunday, they beat the Red Sox, 2-1, in 14 innings. Tuesday, they beat the Yankees, 7-6, on Joyner’s RBI single in the ninth.

Wednesday’s victory was as thrilling as any of the other three.

“I was looking for a high fastball and I didn’t want to foul it off,” Downing said.

He didn’t, driving it well over the 362-foot sign in left.

“He got me tonight,” Righetti said. “He got on top of one (pitch). It was a fastball and he was quick.”

Downing drove in two runs Wednesday. It might have been three, but one was erased on a strange interference call in the first inning.

With one out, the Angels down, 2-0, and Chili Davis, who had doubled, at second and Joyner, who walked, at first, Downing doubled down the left field line.

Davis scored easily and Joyner sped around to third as left fielder Mel Hall threw the ball back in to cut-off man Alvaro Espinoza. The ball got away from Espinoza and Joyner took off for home.

But on the way he brushed third base coach Moose Stubing. Joyner made it home safely, but third base umpire John Hirschbeck ruled Joyner out.

Manager Doug Rader argued the call, but it stood and the Angels had to settle for one run.

“I didn’t see the play,” Downing said. “I was running into second. I haven’t had an extra-base hit in so long, I was just running to second.”

Downing’s two RBIs boosted his total to 52 and the home run was his 13th this season. Not bad for a guy who has been hurting since the All-Star break.

He’s been nursing sore ribs that only recently have begun to heal.

“(It’s) been healing up,” Downing said. “I was able to turn on the ball better. I’m just glad it’s healing up. It’s a little late, but who knows.”

Lately, it seems it’s never too late for the Angels.

Downing gave them the opportunity to grab another victory that appeared to be out of their grasp.

“We’ve been playing good baseball,” Joyner said. “Brian Downing let us have the opportunity to win the ballgame tonight. That was the crucial blow.”