ANAHEIM — The Angels were writing a familiar story when everything suddenly changed.
The Angels were on their way to another one-run loss at home, with their own mistakes costing them two critical runs, when Taylor Ward launched a two-run double with two outs in the eighth inning. It put the Angels on top in their 4-3 victory over the New York Yankees on Tuesday night.
The Angels (21-33) are now 7-19 at home and 8-19 in games decided by two runs or fewer.
“All these one-run losses we’ve had, we’re right there,” Ward said. “It doesn’t matter who goes out there. We’re trying to play our ball and (show) that we can beat any team …
“If we continue to get that one hit here or there, we can change the script.”
The script so far this season has been a horror movie for the Angels. Although they weren’t expected to be playoff contenders, they have still performed below expectations in the win-loss column, with an especially puzzling performance at home.
Maybe it helped that Angel Stadium was full of Yankees fans for this one.
They were preparing to send the Angels to their fourth straight loss when the Angels came to life in the bottom of the eighth.
Trailing 3-2, pinch-hitter Willie Calhoun led off the eighth with a single. Two outs later, pinch-runner Mickey Moniak was at first when Luis Rengifo hit a grounder to the right of Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who couldn’t make the play. It was initially ruled an error, but later changed to a hit.
The Yankees then brought in closer Clay Holmes to try for a four-out save. Ward swung at the first pitch, launching a double over the head of left fielder Alex Verdugo, driving in two runs.
“I figured he’d try to get ahead early,” Ward said, “so I just played the odds there.”
Closer Carlos Estévez, who had been warming up even before Ward’s hit, said it “flips a switch” when he suddenly has a chance to come in and protect a lead. Although he has struggled for much of the…
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