After suspensions, Angels rally for 4-3 win over White Sox

AP

15:22 JST, June 28, 2022

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels found out they’ll pay a hefty price in suspensions for Sunday’s big brawl with Seattle. In the short term, though, it seems that’s galvanized a struggling ballclub.

Taylor Ward hit a go-ahead double in the seventh inning Monday night and the Angels rallied for a 4-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Not only was it Los Angeles’ second consecutive one-run win, it marked the first time in nearly five weeks the Halos won back-to-back home games.

“It feels really nice,” said Brandon Marsh, who had three hits and a sliding catch in the sixth inning to rob Luis Robert of at least a single. “It shows the trust we have in the bullpen and all the starters.”

Noah Syndergaard snapped his four-game losing streak and struck out seven for the Angels, who won for only the fifth time in their last 19 home games.

The victory capped a hectic day. Less than two hours before the game, the Angels learned a total of nine players and coaches were suspended by Major League Baseball for their roles in Sunday’s nasty fight with the Mariners.

Bench coach Ray Montgomery took over for interim manager Phil Nevin, who began serving his 10-game suspension.

“I would like to say it’s just like being in that position when I’m standing there with Phil or anyone else — but it’s not obviously,” Montgomery said. “People are looking to you to be prepared. You have a responsibility to those guys (the players) and want to make sure that they have what they need.”

Assistant pitching coach Dom Chiti (five games), pitcher Andrew Wantz (three games) and major league interpreter Manny Del Campo (two games) also began their suspensions. Montgomery will serve a two-game ban when Chiti returns.

Gavin Sheets had two hits for the White Sox, who have dropped five of six. Lucas Giolito pitched six solid innings but did not factor in the decision.

“He ended up in a really good spot this time to get them, but there’s a position where the game breaks your heart and we couldn’t hold it for him,” manager Tony La Russa said.

The White Sox went ahead 3-2 in the seventh on Josh Harrison’s RBI single before the Angels regained the lead in the home half.

Max Stassi drew a leadoff walk from Reynaldo Lopez (4-2) and moved to second on Marsh’s single. Pinch-runner Monte Harrison and Marsh advanced on Andrew Velazquez’s sacrifice bunt before Ward hit a two-run double off the wall in right-center that was just beyond Robert’s reach.

Syndergaard (5-6) allowed three runs and six hits in seven innings for his first victory since May 24 against Texas.

Raisel Iglesias worked the ninth for his 14th save.

“Probably one of the best ones I’ve had all year,” Syndergaard said. “Everything’s getting better. I am trusting my delivery instead of just trying to be too fine with things.”

Syndergaard retired the first nine White Sox hitters before Tim Anderson singled leading off the fourth.

The Angels got on the board with two outs in the second when Jared Walsh scored after a long fly ball hit by Marsh went in and out of Sheets’ glove near the right-field wall. The ball deflected off the top of the short fence in the corner but stayed in play. It originally was ruled a home run, but got overturned to a triple.

Marsh scored when Velazquez hit a grounder up the middle that deflected off Giolito’s foot into shallow right field for a hit.

The White Sox tied it in the sixth on RBI doubles by Andrew Vaughn and Jose Abreu.