When Jo Adell delivered a walk-off single in the 10th inning Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Angels clinched a 7‑6 victory over their city rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers, at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. The game, part of a three‑game interleague series on Angels vs DodgersAngel Stadium, was a roller‑coaster that saw former Angel star Shohei Ohtani line into a triple play before launching his league‑leading 43rd homer. The win pushed the Angels to 58‑62 overall and kept them within striking distance of the AL West leader, the Seattle Mariners.
Game Overview and Key Moments
The opening inning set the tone. Teoscar Hernández singled, scooped Shohei Ohtani home and moved Mookie Betts to second for a 1‑0 lead. The Angels answered right away: Taylor Ward knocked a single that scored Nolan Schanuel and placed Mike Trout at third. A double by Yoan Moncada brought the score to 2‑1, and a ground‑out forced in Ward for a 3‑1 lead.
The Dodgers shrugged off the early hole in the second when Tim Rushing launched a 386‑foot homer, tying it 3‑3. The Angels responded in the third with Ward’s 413‑foot blast to center, nudging the lead back to 4‑3. A double‑play‑turned‑run by José Teodosio in the fourth stretched the Angels’ advantage to 5‑3.
Detroit‑style fireworks erupted in the fifth. Hernández drove in Betts with an RBI single, and a bases‑loaded walk by Andy Pages forced in Freddie Freeman. The score knotted at 5‑5, setting up a dramatic finish.
Shohei Ohtani’s Wild Night
Just when it seemed the Angels might pull away, Ohtani turned the night into a circus. In the sixth inning he sliced a line drive that resulted in a rare 5‑2 triple play – the first of its kind in an inter‑league game since 2019. The crowd’s gasp was palpable, but Ohtani shrugged it off. Five innings later, with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, he stepped up and ripped a 404‑foot, right‑field homer that lifted the Dodgers to a 6‑5 lead. It was the 43rd home run of his season, extending his league‑leading tally.
Dodger manager Dave Roberts later said, “Shohei’s ability to bounce back after a triple play is what makes him a once‑in‑a‑generation talent. He kept us in this game.” The sentiment was echoed by Angels bench coach Mickey Hatcher, who noted, “We respect Ohtani’s power, but we also saw our resilience after his blast.”
Jo Adell’s Decisive Walk‑Off
With the game dead‑locked at 6‑6 after a sacrifice fly by Schanuel chased in the bottom of the ninth, the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. In the top of the 10th, the Angels loaded the bases, and a single by Jo Adell to left field calmly rolled past the Dodgers’ outfield, allowing Ward to cross the plate for the winning run. The crowd erupted, and the Angels celebrated a second straight win in the series.
Adell, who finished the night 2‑for‑4 with a walk‑off hit, told reporters, “I just saw the ball and knew it was my chance. It felt like the whole stadium was holding its breath for me.” His heroics lifted the Angels’ morale, giving them a spark as they continue to chase a playoff spot.
Implications for the AL West Race
The victory nudged the Angels to 58‑62, still nine games behind the West‑leading Seattle Mariners (67‑53). However, the win narrowed the gap with the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros, who sit within two games of each other. Analyst Erin Miller of ESPN wrote, “If the Angels can string together a few more series wins like this, they’ll be right in the mix for the wild‑card.” The Dodgers, meanwhile, fell to 68‑52, extending their three‑game losing streak despite Ohtani’s milestone homer.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts remained optimistic, saying, “We’re still tied atop the NL West with San Diego. This series will fuel us to bounce back next night.”
Historical Context of the Rivalry
The Los Angeles rivalry dates back to 1961, when the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn and the Angels entered the American League. Over the decades, the teams have exchanged dozens of dramatic finishes, but few have featured a former Angel turned Dodgers star facing his old teammates. Ohtani’s triple‑play‑turned‑home‑run night joins the annals of memorable LA clashes, alongside the 2015 spring training brawl and the 2022 14‑inning thriller.
Looking ahead, the series finale on August 13 offers the Angels a chance to sweep the Dodgers and further tighten the AL West ladder. For the Dodgers, it’s an opportunity to halt their skid and solidify their NL West position before the September push.
Key Facts
- Final Score: Angels 7, Dodgers 6 (10 innings)
- Walk‑off hitter: Jo Adell
- Ohtani’s homers: 43rd of season, 404 ft
- Triple Play: 5‑2, first in inter‑league since 2019
- Angels record after game: 58‑62
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this win affect the Angels’ playoff chances?
The Angels move to 58‑62, still nine games back of the AL West leader, but the win tightens the race with the Rangers and Astros. A few more series wins could push them into wild‑card contention.
What was the significance of Shohei Ohtani’s home run?
It was Ohtani’s 43rd of the year, extending his lead in the league home‑run race. The 404‑foot shot also gave the Dodgers a temporary 6‑5 edge before the Angels tied it.
Who were the standout performers for the Angels?
Taylor Ward delivered a 413‑foot homer and finished with an RBI; Nolan Schanuel added a sacrifice fly; and Jo Adell’s walk‑off single sealed the win. Together they accounted for four of the seven runs.
What does the triple play tell us about the game’s intensity?
A 5‑2 triple play is a rarity, especially in the middle innings of a high‑stakes rivalry. It highlighted the Dodgers’ aggressive baserunning and the Angels’ defensive sharpness.
When is the series finale and what’s at stake?
The final game is set for August 13, 2025, at Angel Stadium. A sweep would give the Angels momentum in the AL West chase, while the Dodgers aim to halt a three‑game skid and protect their NL West lead.
