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Angels salvage final game in Toronto with 10-inning victory

July 30, 2023

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson throws in the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Toronto, Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP)

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates in the dugout after scoring on a sacrifice fly by teammate Hunter Renfroe (not shown) in the third inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto, Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP)

Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani flips his hair as he fixes his helmet during his at-bat in the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto, Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP)

Los Angeles Angels right fielder Mickey Moniak (16) catches a flyout by Toronto Blue Jays’ Matt Chapman (not shown) during the third inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP)

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TORONTO — The Angels’ drought with runners in scoring position was ended by a player who has struggled all year in that spot.

Hunter Renfroe hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning to give the Angels a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon.

Before Renfroe pulled a ball inside the left field pole, driving in automatic runner Mike Moustakas, the Angels had been 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position in the game, and 0 for 27 in the three-game series.

Renfroe, who had driven in the other run with a sacrifice fly, was hitting .163 with runners in scoring position for the season.

Closer Carlos Estévez, who had pitched a perfect ninth to get to the game to extra innings, then worked the 10th. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled to drive in the automatic runner and then Matt Chapman walked.

Estévez then struck out George Springer and Cavan Biggio and he got Danny Jansen on a flyout, as the Angels salvaged one game out of the series.

The Angels came into Toronto trailing the Blue Jays by three games in the race for a wild card spot, and they leave town down by four games.

Renfroe, who also had two hits, was one of only two players in the Angels lineup who was in the Opening Day lineup, along with Shohei Ohtani.

Otherwise, injuries have shredded the Angels lineup. For much of the past month, they’ve managed solid production from the replacements, but not this weekend in Toronto.

Despite the lack of offense, they stayed close on Sunday because of strong performances by their pitchers.

Left-hander Tyler Anderson, who is seemingly now the Angels’ No. 6 starter, gave up one run in 6-1/3 innings.

After a rough start to the season, Anderson has settled in and produced more like the pitcher the Angels expected based on his career track record. He has a 3.53 ERA in seven starts since June 18.

Matt Moore picked up five outs before Estévez recorded the final six.

More to come on this story.

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