TORONTO — Hunter Renfroe hit a two-run home run in the 10th inning and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2 on Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep.
“To say this one was needed right now is an understatement,” Angels manager Phil Nevin said.
Los Angeles (55-51) trails Toronto (59-47) by four games in the AL wild-card race. Boston and the New York Yankees are both ahead of the Angels.
“Knowing that we could cut down on the lead that those guys have on us, it’s really big,” closer Carlos Estévez said. “Every game is really important, but this one was a little bit more important than we’ve faced throughout this road trip already.”
Renfroe’s 17th home run of the season came off Blue Jays right-hander Yimi García (3-4). It was the Angels’ first hit with a runner in scoring position in the series. Los Angeles had gone 0 for 27 before Renfroe’s one-out drive to left.
Renfroe’s fifth career homer in extra innings drove in automatic runner Mike Moustakas from third base.
“I wasn’t really trying to hit a homer there,” Renfroe said. “I was trying to just make sure I hit the ball and get the guy in. I wasn’t trying to swing for the fences.”
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani flips his hair as he fixes his helmet during his at-bat in the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto, Sunday, July 30, 2023. Credit: AP/COLE BURSTON
With closer Jordan Romano on the injured list because of a sore back, Blue Jays manager John Schneider turned to García for the third straight day for the first time all season, but it didn’t work out.
“You’re trying to put guys in the right spot,” Schneider said. “They just got the big hit.”
Shortly after the game, the Blue Jays announced they acquired right-handed reliever Jordan Hicks from the St. Louis Cardinals for minor league righties Sem Robberse and Adam Kloffenstein, both at Double-A New Hampshire.
Renfroe went 3 for 4 and drove in all three runs. He also…
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