The Angels opened the night in Anaheim with a quick start, capitalizing on early opportunities to build a modest lead before the game's pivotal moment arrived in the fourth inning.
A Play That Defied Convention
Third baseman Vaughn Grissom fielded a grounder and, instead of the traditional throw to second, executed a basketball‑style bounce pass that caught the Cardinals' runner off guard. The maneuver allowed Iván Herrera to be tagged out at second while Oswald Peraza was cut down at first, turning a potential rally into a double play that swung the momentum firmly in Los Angeles' favor.
Starter Walbert Ureña continued his solid outing, limiting the Cardinals to a single run over six innings. His effort lowered his ERA to 2.78 and gave the Angels a reliable foundation as they pressed for additional runs.
The offense responded with timely hits from Jo Adell and Jorge Soler, each driving in crucial runs that stretched the lead. Nolan Schanuel also contributed a timely single that plated a run during the early surge.
The victory marked the Angels' fourth straight win, tying their longest streak of the season. With the series finale looming on Wednesday at 4:07 p.m. ET, the team aims to complete a sweep and carry the momentum into the next stretch of games.