Tuesday, 4 a.m.
For a team known as the Angels, they knock the devil out of the baseball.
Anaheim bludgeoned the Tampa Bay Rays without mercy Monday night, powering their way to an 11-3 victory. Along the way, the Angels had 11 hits and homered for the cycle.
Shohei Ohtani hit a grand slam. Jared Walsh hit a three-run homer. Mike Trout hit a two-run homer. And Ohtani had. a solo homer.
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It was plenty enough to cool down a hot Rays' team, who had won six of their previous seven games.
The Rays had 10 hits themselves in the game, but they'll remember the night more for stranded opportunities. The Rays left 10 men on base and were one-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
“We had some opportunities early to put some runs up,” said Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash. “We didn’t capitalize. (Noah) Syndegaardwas tough.”
The Rays had a 1-0 lead on a home run by Randy Arozarena, but then the Angels' fireworks began.
The first three pitchers for the Rays allowed 11 earned runs including five by rookie Calvin Faucher.
“Springs was awesome,” Cash said. “I don’t think the stats will show how good he pitched.”
Springs igave up a single to trout, but Ohtani’s pop up was misplayed by the Rays’ outfield.
“We’ve played here enough to know that can be a high sky,” Cash said. “It’s the perfect hour.”
Wander Franco had three hits for the Rays.
Tampa Bay will start Corey Kluber against Anaheim tonight at 9:40p.m. The Angels will start Reid Detmers.