Calhoun, Walsh come through in the 9th

Rengifo's gamble pays off; Skaggs strikes out 7 in 5 2/3 innings

May 25th, 2019

ANAHEIM -- Off the bat, it appeared the Angels would be heading to extra innings after rallying to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth inning following closer ' first blown save of the year.

With on second with two outs after driving home the tying run on a one-out double to right field, two-way rookie Jared Walsh lifted a high popup into shallow left, but it ended up in the perfect spot, as it hit off shortstop Elvis Andrus’ glove to score Calhoun and hand the Angels their first walk-off win in a 3-2 victory over the Rangers on Saturday night at Angel Stadium.

The ball left Walsh’s bat at just 74.9 mph at a high launch angle of 54 degrees, which gave it an expected batting average of just .060 according to Statcast. But despite the odds, it got the job done and helped the Angels snap a five-game losing streak.

“Definitely the best exit velo I've had of the year -- no question," Walsh said with a smile. "But all jokes aside, I'll take all the hits I can get. Beggars can't be choosers. Happy with the outcome."

It wasn’t the only fortunate break for the Angels in that inning, as Calhoun’s game-tying double scored rookie Luis Rengifo from first despite third-base coach Mike Gallego trying to hold Rengifo up at third on the play. Rengifo, however, ran through the stop sign and easily beat the throw home from second baseman Rougned Odor, as it sailed wide to the first-base side.

"I saw the line drive to right-center and thought, 'Go home. Go home.'" Rengifo said. "I knew the outfielders for Texas have good arms, but in this situation, I thought they wouldn't make a good throw home and that's what happened."

The comeback win came after Robles couldn’t complete a four-out save and protect a one-run lead, as he gave up two runs in the ninth, marking the first time he’d allowed a run at Angel Stadium this season. Both key hits allowed by Robles came with him ahead in the count, 0-2, as he gave up a game-tying RBI double to Ronald Guzman on a fastball up in the zone, before surrendering the go-ahead RBI single to pinch-hitter Rougned Odor on a fastball on the outside part of the plate.

“I give the hitters credit because he was trying to elevate on them, but they were able to elevate the bat on him,” Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. “They hit those balls hard.”

Robles’ shaky ninth spoiled a strong start from lefty , who threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings and was in line for the win. He scattered three hits and two walks while matching a season high with seven strikeouts.

Skaggs leaned heavily on his fastball-curveball mix, as he threw 56 fastballs, 33 curveballs and just four changeups. But it kept the Rangers off-balance, as he registered 14 swings and misses, including nine with his fastball. Texas didn’t reach second base against him until the sixth, when he was removed with two outs after hitting Joey Gallo with his 93rd pitch of the night.

“I felt really good,” Skaggs said. “Fastball command was really good tonight. I wish Brad would've left me out there, but at the same time a win's a win. We're happy about it. I thought my curveball was the best it's been all season this year. Hopefully I can bottle that and continue to throw it."

The victory also helped the Angels improve to just 4-10 in one-run contests this year, as they’ve struggled to win close games. They’re hopeful their first walk-off win of the year can help turn the momentum their way going forward.

“Hopefully this game's a springboard for us,” Skaggs said. “Couldn't have planned it any better, a little pitching wedge to win the game. I'm really happy about it.”