Talk about a gut punch: the Los Angeles Angels saved a ninth-inning lead with a wild home run robbery on Friday, only to completely fall apart moments later against the Philadelphia Phillies. You just can’t make this stuff up, seriously. The emotional whiplash in that top of the ninth was absolutely bonkers.
The Robbery That Wasn’t Enough
Ben Joyce, the Angels closer, faced Bryson Stott with one out and two runners on base in the top of the ninth. Stott absolutely crushed an inside fastball, sending it screaming towards the short right field wall at Angel Stadium. We’ve all seen this story before, right? Ball’s gone, lead’s gone. But then, outta nowhere, Wade Meckler makes a leaping catch, pulling that ball back from over the wall! An incredible home run robbery! It was pure magic, a highlight reel play that saved the game, at least for a minute. Everyone was celebrating. You thought, “Okay, that’s it, game over, Angels win.”
From Heroics to Heartbreak
But nope, this is the Angels, and apparently, they needed two game-saving plays. After that insane robbery, Joyce had to face JT Realmuto. He walked him on five pitches, letting the runners advance on a wild pitch in the process. Yikes. That was the cue for the Angels to pull Joyce and bring in left-hander Sammy Peralta. The Phillies countered with a pinch-hitter, bringing in the right-handed Edmundo Sosa for Brandon Marsh. And boom. Sosa hit his first career grand slam. His *first career grand slam*. There was no bringing that one back, folks. The Phillies suddenly led 5-3, just like that.
Another Lost Season
And the drama wasn’t even done! The Phillies kept threatening, with back-to-back singles from Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner, though Bryce Harper eventually ended the frame with a flyout. The Angels tried to answer in the bottom of the ninth, getting two runners on with one out thanks to a Vaughn Grissom hit-by-pitch and a Luis Arraez error that allowed Christian Moore to reach. But Jose Siri and Adam Frazier both struck out, and that was the game. Final score: Phillies 5, Angels 3. This ninth inning was theatrical, sure, but it’s just been the norm for the Angels this season. Their record sits at a brutal 52-82, staring down another lost season. Honestly, there’s little reason to expect anything different from them right now.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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