May 2, 2017

Albert Pujols knocked in the go-ahead RBI single that scored Mike Trout from 1st base in the top of the 11th inning, as the Angels defeated the Mariners 6-4 in extra innings on Tuesday night at Safeco Field.

Pujols drove a pitch to right field off of reliever James Pazos, which forced Ben Gamel to dive for the ball.  He came up short in his attempt, and the ball bounced up against the wall, allowing Trout to score.  It was the 1,840th RBI of Pujols’ career and he passed Al Simmons and Ted Williams for 14th on the all-time list.

Pujols would then steal 3rd base, and then score later in the inning on a fielders choice by Andrelton Simmons.

Pazos (0-1) took the loss and Deolis Guerra (2-1) pitched the last two innings to get credit for the victory.

Matt Shoemaker got the start for the Angels, pitching 5 1/3 innings, giving up 3 runs on 4 hits while striking out 5.  The Angels used 6 relievers after that, who only allowed 1 run on 3 hits over the next 6 innings.

James Paxton started for the Mariners and also did not factor into the decision.  Paxton went 5 1/3 inning, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits.

The Angels took a 4-3 lead in the 8th inning after a 2-run shot from Kole Calhoun.  However, the Mariners would tie it at 4-4 in the 9th, when Robinson Canoe singled in Jarrod Dyson.

Danny Valencia also went deep for the Mariners, giving them a 3-2 lead in the 6th inning with his 2nd homer of the season.

The Angels fell behind 2-0 in the 3rd inning, but after a Cameron Maybin RBI double in the 4th, and a Jefry Mare sac fly in the 5th, they had tied the score 2-2.

Game 2 of the series will be Wednesday night at Safeco Field.  Ricky Nolasco (2-2; 4.13 ERA) gets the start for the Angels, while the Mariners go with Hisashi Iwakuma (0-2; 4.15 ERA)