Jorge Soler’s three-run double in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Los Angeles Angels a 5-4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night in Anaheim, Calif.
The Angels, who have won three of their last four, trailed 4-2 going into the ninth before loading the bases with no outs against Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman (3-1).
Hoffman struck out Taylor Ward for the first out, but Soler followed with a liner into the left field corner. Blue Jays left fielder Jonatan Clase had trouble fielding the ball as it rattled around in the corner, allowing all three baserunners to score.
The Angels were just 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position before Soler’s game-winner. Brock Burke (3-0), one of four Angels relievers, picked up the victory with a scoreless ninth.
The Blue Jays, who have lost four straight, put themselves in position to win with a three-run seventh inning off Angels reliever Reid Detmers. Detmers, who allowed nine runs over his previous two appearances, didn’t retire a batter on Wednesday.
Detmers gave up a leadoff double to Ernie Clement, a bunt single to Andres Gimenez and an RBI single by Myles Straw before being pulled. Bo Bichette’s two-run single off Ryan Zeferjahn pushed the Blue Jays’ lead to 4-1.
The Angels got a leadoff homer from Kyren Paris in their half of the seventh, spelling the end of the night for Blue Jays starter Jose Berrios.
Berrios (2-1) went six-plus innings, allowing two runs on five hits and five walks, striking out nine while making 89 pitches.
The Blue Jays took a 1-0 lead in the sixth when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled and scored on a single by Anthony Santander.
Yoan Moncada, who homered Tuesday for the Angels after returning from the injured list, took Berrios deep in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game at 1-1.
Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi got a no-decision despite pitching well against his former team. He went six innings, allowing one run on five hits and one walk while striking out six and making 91 pitches.
–Field Level Media
