In a thrilling Sunday showdown, Taylor Ward came up big for the Los Angeles Angels with a dramatic grand slam that turned the game around, helping the Angels claw back from a hefty 6-0 deficit to secure an 8-6 victory over the Oakland Athletics. This win was crucial for the Angels, as it kept them from being swept in a four-game series against the A’s.
Ward’s grand slam, which he hit in the fourth inning, was a massive shot into the Oakland bullpen, located in left-center field. This was not just any grand slam—it was Ward’s fourth career slam and also the fourth of the season for the Angels. For context, Ward’s last grand slam came on May 4, 2022, also against the Athletics. With this impressive blast, Ward now has 16 home runs this season, showing he’s in top form.
The Angels had been in a rough spot, down by six runs early on. The Athletics had just put together a huge inning of their own, with Brent Rooker hitting a bases-clearing double in the third, which accounted for six of the A’s runs. This was part of a hot streak for Oakland, who had been on a roll, winning eight out of their last ten games and had already clinched their fourth consecutive series win.
But the Angels weren’t ready to give up just yet. After Ward’s slam put Los Angeles ahead 7-6, the momentum shifted dramatically. This grand slam came after Bido had walked three consecutive batters: Zach Neto, Nolan Schanuel, and Luis Rengifo. Bido’s rough day on the mound ended soon after, as he allowed seven runs on six hits over just 3 2/3 innings.
Adding to the Angels' recovery, Willie Calhoun contributed with a clutch two-run single in the third inning that cut the A’s lead to 6-3. This hit was instrumental in keeping Los Angeles in the game as they mounted their comeback.
On the pitching front, Luis Garcia stepped up as the Angels' closer. With Carlos Estevez having been traded to Philadelphia just a day before, Garcia was thrust into the spotlight. He responded with a flawless performance in the ninth inning, retiring the side on just nine pitches to secure his fourth save of the season. Another bright spot in the Angels' bullpen was Roansy Contreras, who delivered 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, helping to stabilize the game after the early onslaught.
Despite the Angels’ late-game heroics, they had a rough start. Their starter, Jose Siriano, struggled early on and was pulled after allowing four hits and a walk in the third inning. Siriano ended up giving up six runs—three of them earned—over 2 2/3 innings. An error by Brandon Drury, the Angels' second baseman, on a grounder from Miguel Andujar allowed the first run of the game to score for the A’s, which further complicated the early innings for Los Angeles.
Looking ahead, the Athletics will turn to their left-handed pitcher JP Sears for their next game. Sears, who leads the team with 21 starts this season, will be making his 22nd start against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday. With three wins in his last four starts, Sears is having a standout season, already setting a career high in victories.
For the Angels, they’ll be relying on right-hander Griffin Canning in their upcoming game against the Colorado Rockies. Canning, with a record of 3-10 and an ERA of 2.91, has been solid this season. He has a 1-0 record with a 2.31 ERA in two previous starts against the Rockies, so there’s hope he can continue his strong performance and help the Angels keep the momentum going.
This game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with the Angels showing incredible resilience to come back from a significant deficit and avoid a series sweep. The grand slam by Taylor Ward was a game-changing moment that showcased his power and clutch hitting. As the season progresses, fans can look forward to more exciting performances and pivotal moments from both the Angels and the Athletics.
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