SEATTLE—Taylor Ward’s sacrifice fly scored Magneuris Sierra in the 10th inning, and the Los Angeles Angels blew a three-run lead late before pulling out a 4–3 win over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.
The Angels led 3–0 going to the bottom of the ninth before Seattle scored three times with two outs to force extra inning.
Ward’s fly ball off Paul Sewald (3–3) was deep enough for Sierra to score easily and give the Angels the lead. Jimmy Herget pitched a perfect bottom of the 10th to get the save.
Max Stassi hit a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning to give the Angels a 3–0 lead that proved critical when Seattle rallied for three runs in the bottom of the inning.
Seattle’s three-run rally in the ninth started when Jesse Winker walked with one-out against Jesse Chavez (2–1). Pinch-hitter Jake Lamb singled, and with two outs, Adam Frazier doubled to score Winker.
Ty France dribbled a single into center field to score Lamb and Frazier and pulled the Mariners even at 3–3. Seattle had three hits through the first eight innings, then strung together three in the ninth to force extra innings.
It was the first matchup between the teams since their wild brawl on June 26 that resulted in multiple suspensions and a couple of injuries. Both Seattle manager Scott Servais and Angels’ interim manager Phil Nevin said pregame the incident was in the past.
The Mariners rally ruined the night for Angels starter Patrick Sandoval, who was in line for his first victory since May 22. Sandoval threw 5 1/3 shutout innings, and Aaron Loup and Jose Quijada kept the shutout going into the ninth.
Pitching was the story of the night until the ninth inning for both sides. Sandoval stymied the Mariners into the sixth, while Seattle starter Robbie Ray was terrific for seven innings with 10 strikeouts.
The only damage against Ray came in the first inning when Luis Rengifo doubled and Jo Adell followed with a broken-bat single to give the Angels the early lead.
Ray was otherwise dominant after getting roughed up in his previous two starts, both against Houston. Ray scattered five hits and had his sixth start this season with at least 10 strikeouts.
Roster Moves
Former Angels IF David MacKinnon was claimed off waivers today by Oakland. MacKinnon had been designated for assignment on Tuesday.
Seattle added Lamb to the roster and designated for assignment OF Travis Jankowski. Lamb was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers ahead of the trade deadline and now gets the chance to play for his hometown team.
“I feel like I’ve gotten chills the past two days over and over and over,” Lamb said.
Trainer’s Room
Angels: IF David Fletcher was out of the lineup after getting hit in the foot by a pitch in Thursday’s game against Oakland. He’s expected back in the lineup on Saturday.
Mariners: OF Julio Rodriguez (wrist) is expected to pick up his baseball activity this weekend and should not need to go out on a rehab assignment when his stint on the injured list ends.
IF/OF Dylan Moore (back spasms) is quickly improving and could be ready when his time on the IL ends.
RHP Diego Castillo (shoulder) threw a bullpen on Friday.
LHP Matthew Boyd (elbow), acquired at the trade deadline, will likely throw a live batting practice early next week before going out on a rehab assignment.
Up Next
Angels: The Angels have not announced a starter for the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader.
Mariners: RHP George Kirby (2–3, 3.56) makes his 15th start of the season. Kirby has been under pitch limits in his last two starts coming out of the All-Star break. Kirby allowed two runs struck out seven in four innings in his last start against Houston.
