Griffin Canning returns to mound, Angels beat Nationals 3–2

Los Angeles Angels center fielder Brett Phillips makes a leaping catch on a fly ball from Washington Nationals' Keibert Ruiz during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., on April 12, 2023. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo)

ANAHEIM, Calif.—Griffin Canning pitched five innings of five-hit ball in his first big league appearance in 22 months for the Angels, and rookie Logan O'Hoppe drove in the tiebreaking run in Los Angeles’ 3–2 victory over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, April 12.

Brett Phillips scored an early run, drove in another with a bases-loaded walk and stole a probable homer from Keibert Ruiz in center field during his eventful first start for the Angels, who took two of three from Washington.

The game was a milestone in the lengthy comeback of Canning, who hadn’t pitched in the majors since June 2, 2021. The Gold Glove-winning right-hander and Orange County native had a back injury that eventually scuttled the rest of the 2021 season and then kept him off the field entirely in 2022.

Canning started with three innings of one-hit ball, but Washington got four consecutive hits to start the fourth. Joey Meneses had an RBI single before a run-scoring groundout by Luis García in his return from a four-game absence with hamstring tightness.

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Griffin Canning throws to a Washington Nationals batter during the first inning of a baseball game, in Anaheim, Calif., on April 12, 2023. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo)

Matt Moore (1–0) pitched the sixth, and José Quijada worked the ninth for his second save.

Ruiz and Jeimer Candelario had two hits apiece for Washington, which went 3–4 on its road trip. MacKenzie Gore yielded four hits and four walks with six strikeouts while pitching into the fourth inning for the Nats.

Shohei Ohtani got a day off after pitching seven scoreless innings of one-hit ball Tuesday night. Mike Trout went 0 for 3 in Ohtani’s spot as the designated hitter, putting the three-time AL MVP in an 0–for–14 skid.

So the Angels got unlikely offense from Phillips, their journeyman outfielder.

After drawing a walk in the third, he stole second before stealing third and quickly scoring on Ruiz’s throwing error. Phillips then drew a two-out walk with the bases loaded in the fourth to tie it.

Phillips made a leaping catch on Ruiz’s drive at the wall in center to end the sixth, prompting Ruiz to spike his batting helmet in frustration.

O'Hoppe, the Angels’ promising rookie catcher, got his team-leading 11th RBI in the sixth, driving in Brandon Drury with his single off Mason Thompson (0–1).

Trainer’s Room

Nationals: García hadn’t played since leaving Washington’s game at Colorado last Friday.

Angels: Canning made enough progress this spring to earn a chance at the sixth rotation spot, but the Halos don’t plan to use six starters as rigorously this season as they’ve done during Ohtani’s tenure. Canning’s role going forward is unclear.

Up Next

Nationals: After a day off, Trevor Williams (1–1, 4.35 ERA) makes his third start for his new team when Washington opens a five-game homestand against Cleveland.

Angels: After a day off, Patrick Sandoval (1–0, 1.64 ERA) takes the mound at Fenway Park on Friday night when they begin a seven-game road trip against the Red Sox and Yankees.

By Greg Beacham