Jo Adell clubbed a three-run, go-ahead homer in the sixth inning, then drove in the tiebreaking run with an infield single in the eighth and the visiting Los Angeles Angels beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3 on Wednesday night.
Adell continued his stellar series by putting Los Angeles (66-73) ahead 3-2 with a drive over the center-field wall. Then, with the game tied at 3 two innings later, his two-hopper that Royals star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. couldn’t come up with scored Yoan Moncada, who had doubled earlier in the frame off Lucas Erceg (6-4) on a ball that right fielder Mike Yastrzemski misplayed.
Adell, enjoying a career season with 33 homers and 90 RBIs, also clubbed a go-ahead two-run home run in the sixth inning of Los Angeles’ 5-1 victory in Tuesday’s opener.
Clayton Dana, recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake to start for the Angels, allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk while striking out four over five innings, and Reid Detmers retired the side in the ninth to notch his third save. With these back-to-back wins, the Angels secured their first winning road series since July 18-20 and improved to 5-4 on their 10-game trip.
Michael Massey had two hits for the Royals (70-69), a wild-card contender who has lost seven of 11. Kansas City’s Ryan Bergert allowed just one run on one hit and three walks while striking out six over five-plus innings.
Dana retired the first six batters. In the third, he allowed a bloop single to Massey and walked Jac Caglianone. Kyle Isbel then laid down a bunt that Angels first baseman Oswald Peraza fielded, but threw wildly to Luis Rengifo covering the bag, allowing the game’s first run. Caglianone scored on Yastrzemski’s sacrifice fly for a 2-0 Royals lead.
Bergert left after walking Zach Neto to open the sixth. John Schreiber came on and allowed an infield hit to Moncada but struck out Taylor Ward. However, Adell followed with his blast.
The Royals answered in the bottom of the seventh, as Salvador Perez and Adam Frazier hit back-to-back doubles off Los Angeles’ Robert Stephenson (1-0) to tie the contest.
The Royals have been held to four hits apiece in three straight games, all losses.
–Field Level Media
