LA Angels Gain Ground in Wild Card Race

The LA Angels entered Sunday with two games separating them and the Minnesota Twins for the second AL Wild Card spot. However, they’ll enter next week one game behind after an eventful day.

The LA Angels faced off against the Seattle Mariners for their series finale on Sunday. They had dropped two of the three games going into the finale, but were sending Parker Bridwell to the mound in hopes of salvaging the series.

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Bridwell  was coming off a couple of starts in which he struggled. In his past two starts, Bridwell had pitched three innings in each. He gave up seven runs in one start, and six in the next. Opposing batters were hitting .433 against him. It had appeared to be the end of Bridwell’s breakout season.

However, Bridwell was able to rebound on Sunday by going six innings and allowing only two runs. He did still give up a lot of hits (seven), but the Mariners were not able to lace them together well enough against Bridwell. He gave the Angels offense a solid opportunity to get the win and keep their playoff hopes alive.

It did not take long for the Angels offense to get going. Mike Trout sent a first inning pitch flying out of the ballpark to give the Halos an early 1-0 lead. Luis Valbuena got in on the party, hitting his own big fly in the seventh to tie the game at 2-2.

In the top of the eighth, Justin Upton proved his worth by slugging his 40th double of the year, bringing in Ben Revere and Trout. Upton would then score on a wild pitch to take a 5-2 lead.

The Halos bullpen was able to hold onto the lead for the victory. Cam Bedrosian pitched a shutout seventh to record the win. Blake Parker gave up a run in his sole inning, but picked up the hold. To end the game, the Halos sent out Yusmeiro Petit to earn his third save of the season.

The Angels’ win came on a great day. The Twins lost their game, so the Halos now sit one game back going into the week. The Twins have now lost two in a row, and face the San Diego Padres next. The Padres have been more consistent over the past month, and have won six of their last ten games.

Next: Who Starts for Halos in a Possible WC Game?

This win was the Angels 43rd comeback victory on the season. The team once again proved it is never too late to make some magic happen. With 20 games to go, now would be a great time for the Halos to perform some tricks.