Angels’ comeback falls short in loss to Mariners
Julio Rodríguez hit a run-scoring double and later scored the tiebreaking run after drawing an intentional walk, leading the playoff-contending Seattle Mariners to a 3-2 win over the Angels on Wednesday.
Luis Castillo added six strong innings for the Mariners, who rebounded from Monday’s extra-innings loss to take two of three from the Angels.
Seattle kept pace in the AL West and AL wild-card races, with Houston, Texas and Toronto in action later Wednesday.
“It was a series that we needed to win,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “It didn’t start off that great when we let the game Monday night get away from us, but credit to our guys.
“We just show up every day and get ready to compete. And whatever the game calls for, we have a group that really responds to that.”
Rodríguez lined an RBI double off the left-field wall in the third to put Seattle on the board.
When Rodríguez came to the plate again in the fifth, the Angels elected not to face him. They intentionally walked the AL hits leader with a 2-1 lead and two outs, despite Ty France being on first.
Rodríguez, batting .389 since Aug. 1, is just the third player in the majors this season to be intentionally walked without an open base.
“He has been one of the best in the game,” Angels manager Phil Nevin said. “I’m not going to let him beat us.”
Cal Raleigh and Teoscar Hernández made the Angels pay.
After the Angels brought in reliever Jimmy Herget, Raleigh lined a single to right field that drove in France, who slid into home plate to beat the throw from Brett Phillips. Hernández then followed with a single that deflected off second baseman Brandon Drury’s glove, scoring Rodríguez for a 3-2 lead.
“I really credit our guys behind Julio,” Servais said. “We are a complete team. It takes guys behind the star. You need guys to step up and have big at-bats, and they did.”
Castillo (13-7) gave up two runs and three hits in a 104-pitch outing. He struck out eight and walked three. The All-Star right-hander has won seven consecutive decisions and hasn’t lost since July 14.
“He has been the rock,” Servais said. “He has put together just an unbelievable season after doing what he did last year to lead us into the playoffs.
Shohei Ohtani wants to remain a two-way player despite injuries. The Dodgers can offer the superstar the best chance to achieve his goals.
“He’s the epitome of consistency.”
The Angels threatened against Justin Topa in the seventh, putting runners on first and second with no outs. But Topa escaped the jam, highlighted by a pickoff that caught Jordyn Adams in a rundown between second and third.
The Angels again put the tying run on second in the eighth, but Matt Brash struck out Matt Thaiss to end the inning and become just the fifth reliever in Mariners history with 100 strikeouts in a season.
Andrés Muñoz worked the ninth for his 13th save. Raleigh ended the game by throwing out Phillips at second base.
“What an awesome way to end the game for a catcher,” Servais said. “Cal has done the walk-off homer. Now he’s done the walk-off caught stealing.”
Phillips hit a solo homer in the third and Drury added an RBI double in the fourth. José Suarez (1-3) took the loss for the Angels, who used seven pitchers in a bullpen day.
Angels rookie Nolan Schanuel reached base for the 20th consecutive game to start his career.
Angels star Shohei Ohtani missed his 10th consecutive game as he continues to deal with a right oblique strain.
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