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Angels give up late lead, lose to Guardians

May 14, 2023

Cleveland Guardians’ Josh Naylor flips his bat while running the bases after hitting a three-run home run off Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Ryan Tepera during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Cleveland. The Guardians won 8-6. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani walks to first base during the fifth inning of the team’s baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Cleveland Guardians second baseman Andres Gimenez throws to first after forcing out Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani at second base during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Cleveland. Anthony Rendon was out at first base for a double play. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Cleveland Guardians’ Amed Rosario runs after hitting an RBI double during the sixth inning of the team’s baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Reid Detmers reacts before being removed during the sixth inning of the team’s baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani strikes out during the seventh inning of the team’s baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Los Angeles Angels right fielder Hunter Renfroe catches a ball hit by Cleveland Guardians’ Jose Ramirez during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani walks to the dugout after striking out during the seventh inning of the team’s baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Los Angeles Angels’ Luis Rengifo celebrates after hitting a double during the eighth inning of the team’s baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani stands in the dugout during the seventh inning of the team’s baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon throws to first for the out on Cleveland Guardians’ Cam Gallagher during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Los Angeles Angels’ Zach Neto is congratulated while entering the dugout after hitting a two-run home run off Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Eli Morgan during the eighth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Cleveland. The Guardians won 8-6. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Cleveland Guardians’ Josh Naylor points skyward while running the bases after hitting a three-run home run off Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Ryan Tepera during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Cleveland. The Guardians won 8-6. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Ryan Tepera waits for Cleveland Guardians’ Andres Gimenez to run the bases after hitting a solo home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Cleveland. The Guardians won 8-6. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani grounds out during the ninth inning of the team’s baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Cleveland. The Guardian won 8-6. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Cleveland Guardians’ Andres Gimenez watches his solo home run off Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Ryan Tepera during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Cleveland. The Guardians won 8-6. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani hits a double during the third inning of the team’s baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Cleveland. The Guardians won 8-6. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani runs after hitting a double during the third inning of the team’s baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Cleveland. The Guardians won 8-6. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

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CLEVELAND — All Angels Manager Phil Nevin could do was watch from the dugout and hope one of his pitchers could take him to the bottom of the ninth.

The Angels had a comfy four-run lead in the eighth inning of Saturday’s game against the Guardians, and Nevin opted to keep reliever Andrew Wantz on the mound after he recorded all three outs in the seventh inning. Nevin wanted another inning from Wantz, who hadn’t pitched in four days and was one of the most refreshed relievers in the Angels’ bullpen.

That decision, however, proved costly for the Angels.

Wantz surrendered four-straight singles before reliever Ryan Tepera allowed two home runs in a disastrous eighth inning of their 8-6 loss at Progressive Field. Nevin hoped to bring closer Carlos Estévez in for the ninth inning for a save opportunity, but he never had a chance to call him due to the wreckage from the bullpen.

“(Wantz) probably just got a little tired,” Nevin said. “With four straight hits, you’ve got to stop the bleeding and find some more outs. Tep’s been in those situations before, but it just didn’t work out this time.”

Tepera allowed a three-run home run from Josh Naylor to give the Guardians the lead and Andrés Giménez added a solo home run two at-bats later for insurance.

The Angels’ ugly eighth inning wiped out the positives they had built in the previous innings, such as the splendid season debut from left fielder Mickey Moniak on his 25th birthday, a quality game from the defense and a smooth outing from starter Reid Detmers.

Moniak, in particular, was a standout player despite the loss. Called up Friday from Triple-A Salt Lake, he led off the game with a home run and was the Angels’ top generator on offense, going 3 for 4 with three runs, two stolen bases and a walk. He also scored runs in the third and seventh innings.

“It felt good,” Moniak said. “Main focus ever since coming into spring training was to try to help the team win, and it felt like I did that today. That’s just baseball, and it didn’t fall in our favor, but it felt good to be back here and get my feet wet.”

Neto contributed two big plays with his glove, which he applied on Guardians second baseman José Ramírez for a quick tag on a big pickoff attempt that went for an out in the fourth inning.

He also made a sliding, juggling catch in shallow left field on shortstop Andrés Giménez in the seventh inning. He then immediately rose to his feet and fired the ball back to first base to double up right fielder Gabrial Arias, who ran too far to second base and wasn’t anticipating Neto to secure the catch.

Another big defensive moment was when Hunter Renfroe threw out Amed Rosario with a laser from right field in the first inning. Renfroe caught a flyout and unleashed the ball to Anthony Rendon at third base to cut down Rosario on his attempt to tag up from second.

The double-play ended an inning where the Guardians had runners on second and third with one out.

“That was probably our cleanest defensive game of the year,” Nevin said. “We played a really good defensive game.”

Detmers helped the Angels sail through the first five innings, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three batters.

All of that work, though, was wasted when Nevin’s hopes to reach the bottom of the ninth came undone.

“Got to find guys to get the outs to get to Estey, really,” Nevin said.

The Angels also replaced third baseman Anthony Rendon in the sixth inning after he left with left groin tightness. Nevin said Rendon told him “I don’t think I could move to get a ball right now” when Nevin was on the mound to replace Detmers in the sixth inning.

Rendon, whom Nevin said was already scheduled for an off-day in the third game of the series, will be re-evaluated Sunday.

Orange County Register

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Angels give up late lead, lose to Guardians

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