Thaiss Comes up Huge for Angels in Comeback Win Over Rockies

Thaiss Comes up Huge for Angels in Comeback Win Over Rockies
Matt Thaiss of the Los Angeles Angels drops his bat after hitting an RBI single against the Colorado Rockies in Anaheim, Calif., on July 30, 2024. (Jessie Alcheh/AP Photo)
The Associated Press
Updated:
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ANAHEIM, Calif.—Matt Thaiss drove in a career-high five runs, Jo Adell hit a go-ahead home run in the seventh inning, and the Los Angeles Angels overcame a four-run deficit to beat the Colorado Rockies 10–7 on Tuesday night.

Thaiss became the first Angels catcher to drive in five runs and steal two bases in the same game, and just the second catcher in major-league history to achieve the feat, after Detroit’s Mickey Cochrane in 1934.

“He just delivered big tonight, but he’s been there before every time he plays, whether it’s getting pitchers through innings or whether he’s coming up with big hits,” Angels Manager Ron Washington said of Thaiss’ fifth start this month.

Taylor Ward drove in three runs for the Angels, who trailed 6–2 after two innings and won for the sixth time in nine games.

Los Angeles led 7–6 before Ezequiel Tovar’s seventh-inning homer off José Qujada (1–0), who got his first big-league win since July 28, 2019, as a rookie with Miami. The Angels retired 16 consecutive batters before the home run.

Adell hit his 16th homer in the bottom half, a drive off Jake Bird (1-2). Adell has three go-ahead home runs in the seventh inning or later this season.

“It was a lot of fun to be down like we were, and to claw back and fight back,” Thaiss said. “That was really cool.”

Zach Neto drove in a run with a sacrifice bunt in the eighth—he was called safe by first base umpire Tony Randazzo but a video review determined pitcher Justin Lawrence fielded the ball and tagged Neto before Neto reached first. Thaiss added an RBI single.

Hunter Strickland got three straight outs for his first save since Aug. 1, 2022, for Cincinnati,

Colorado has lost five straight and dropped to 14–41 on the road. The Rockies are 24–29 at Coors Field in Denver.

Ryan McMahon hit a three-run home run, and Tovar had two hits, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Rockies starter Cal Quantrill allowed seven runs and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings.

“It was good to see the guys have a really good effort offensively. We just didn’t pitch well. That was the bottom line,” Rockies Manager Bud Black said. “One of those rare games where we score a bunch, and we gave up a bunch. The pitching wasn’t up to par at all today.”

Trainer’s Room

Rockies: Outfielder Jordan Beck, out since breaking his left hand on May 25, homered Tuesday for Triple-A Albuquerque, N.M., his first since starting a minor-league rehab assignment on July 23. ... Outfielder Brenton Doyle was out of the starting lineup for a second consecutive game with a bruised right index finger. ... Right-hander Antonio Senzatela (Tommy John surgery) is expected to throw as many as 30 pitches in a simulated outing Wednesday in Anaheim. ... Right-hander Germán Márquez (elbow) played catch and is likely to have a bullpen session in the next few days.
Angels: Center fielder Mike Trout had a setback during his rehab program, after surgery on a torn meniscus, and will miss an additional unspecified amount of time. The three-time American League most valuable player last played April 29. ... Third baseman Anthony Rendon went back on the 10-day injured list with lower-back inflammation after playing 14 games following a hamstring injury. ... Infielder Michael Stefanic was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake. ... Right-hander Chase Silseth, who has made just two starts this season and none since April 7, continues to deal with elbow discomfort.

Up Next

Rockies Left-hander Kyle Freeland (2–4, 6.23 earned-run average) is scheduled to start Wednesday after giving up six runs and eight hits over four innings against the San Francisco Giants on Friday. Angels right-hander Davis Daniel (1–2, 5.82) is set for his fourth start, and first since giving up seven runs to Texas on July 8.
By Doug Padilla