SAN DIEGO โ Taylor Ward showcased his power with a grand slam in the ninth inning, capping an impressive six-run rally, as the Los Angeles Angels triumphed over the San Diego Padres with a 9-5 victory on Monday night.
The Angels mounted a comeback against Padresโ pitcher Robert Suarez, who had notched 18 consecutive saves, 15 of which were in this season alone. Despite Suarezโs track record, the Angels managed to turn the game around. Suarez (0-1) faced challenges in the ninth, beginning with a one-out single followed by four consecutive walks, surrendering two runs in the process. Before this game, Suarez had only conceded one run in his initial 18 appearances of the year.
Taylor Wardโs pivotal grand slam came against Alek Jacob, who had come in to relieve Suarez, following a successful strikeout of Jorge Soler. Earlier in the game, Zach Neto contributed to the Angelsโ scoreboard with a two-run home run in the third inning. However, the Padres quickly retaliated with three runs in their half of the third.
The Padres saw runs from Jackson Merrill with an RBI single alongside additional scoring helped by a throwing error from left-hander Yusei Kikuchi on Xander Bogaertsโ hit. This play brought two more runners home, though Matthew Lugo managed to throw Bogaerts out at home after Gavin Sheetsโ single.
Though San Diego star Fernando Tatis Jr. initiated the fifth inning with his 10th home run of the season, and Bogaerts added to the Padresโ tally with a sacrifice fly in the eighth, it wasnโt enough to reclaim the lead.
Kikuchi concluded his performance with four runs, two of them earned, and allowed seven hits over six innings. Brock Burke (4-0) took the mound for the eighth inning, while Kenley Jansen delivered two strikeouts in the ninth to seal the victory. Michael King started the game, striking out eight batters over 5 2/3 innings, and allowing three runs โ two of which were earned โ and four hits.
This marked San Diegoโs first home game of the month, following a fruitful 6-3 road trip.
Significant Moment: Wardโs fifth career grand slam came from a powerful 2-2 pitch that sailed deep into left field.
Stat Insight: Notably, Suarez had never issued more than two walks in a single game prior, totaling only four walks in the initial 17 2/3 innings of the season.
Whatโs Next: The Angels will put RHP Josรฉ Soriano (2-4, 4.00 ERA) on the mound for Tuesdayโs matchup against the Padresโ RHP Dylan Cease (1-2, 4.91 ERA).
Home Ward's Slam Seals Angels' 6-Run 9th in 9-5 Win