Jo Adell’s run-scoring single with two outs in the top of the ninth inning broke a tie as the Los Angeles Angels rallied for a 3-1 victory against the host Seattle Mariners on Monday night.
Taylor Ward went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI for the Angels, who won their second game in a row and prevented the Mariners from regaining sole possession of first place in the American League West.
Reliever Luis Garcia (5-1) got the victory and Carlos Estevez worked a perfect ninth for his 19th save of the season.
With two outs in the ninth, the Angels’ Brandon Drury and Zach Neto drew walks off reliever Trent Thornton (3-2). Adell, who was batting ninth, grounded a single to center field. Drury scored from second and Neto raced home after center fielder Victor Robles’ throw to the plate hit the mound and scooted past catcher Cal Raleigh.
The Angels tied the score in the eighth without the benefit of a hit. Reliever Ryne Stanek walked Adell and Anthony Rendon before Nolan Schanuel was caught looking at a called third strike — Schanuel was ejected by plate umpire Mike Estabrook for arguing the call. The Mariners brought in closer Andres Munoz, and the Angels greeted him with a double steal. Ward then lifted a sacrifice fly to deep center to make it 1-1.
Angels hitting coach Johnny Washington was ejected in the second inning by Estabrook after a called third strike on Drury.
The Mariners scored their lone run in the first inning. Leadoff hitter J.P. Crawford was hit on the back of the right hand by a pitch from Tyler Anderson, and Robles got an infield single on a chopper down the third base line. With one out, Raleigh lined a run-scoring single to center.
Crawford didn’t take the field in the top of the second, with utility man Dylan Moore moving to short and Luke Raley entering the game to play first base.
The Mariners wasted a strong start by Bryce Miller, who pitched seven scoreless innings. The right-hander allowed three hits, didn’t walk a batter and struck out five.
Anderson gave up one run on three hits in 5 2/3 innings. The lefty walked one and fanned eight.
Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez didn’t play after sustaining a sprained right ankle crashing into the outfield wall while trying to make a catch on Sunday. Seattle manager Scott Servais said Rodriguez is day-to-day.