Well-rounded showing from Matt Thaiss lifts Angels over Rockies

Field Level Media|published: Wed 31st July, 24:52 2024

Jul 30, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (9) beats the tag by Colorado Rockies catcher Elias Diaz (35) for a run in the third inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Thaiss had three hits, five RBIs and two stolen bases, leading the Los Angeles Angels to a 10-7 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in Anaheim, Calif.

Thaiss became just the second catcher in major league history to have five RBIs and two stolen bases in a game, joining Hall of Famer Mickey Cochrane, who accomplished the feat in 1934.

The Rockies held a 6-2 lead in the second inning, but the Angels rallied, eventually going ahead 7-6 on a two-run single by Thaiss in the fourth.

A home run by Colorado's Ezequiel Tovar in the top of the seventh tied the game at 7-7, but Jo Adell hit a solo shot in the bottom of the frame to put the Angels up once again.

In the home half of the eighth, Zach Neto drove in a run with a sacrifice bunt and Thaiss' single brought home the Angels' 10th run of the game. Hunter Strickland then pitched the ninth for his first save of the year.

Angels left-hander Jose Quijada (1-0) earned the victory with one inning of one-run relief. Jake Bird (1-2) took the loss.

Los Angeles starter Griffin Canning ran into trouble immediately, with the Rockies loading the bases with no outs in the top of the first inning. But Canning got out of the jam cheaply enough, allowing a sacrifice fly by Kris Bryant and an RBI double by Brendan Rodgers for a 2-0 Colorado lead.

The Angels responded with two runs in their half of the first while facing Rockies starter Cal Quantrill. Nolan Schanuel led off with a double and went to third on a single by Luis Rengifo. Both runners scored on a single by Taylor Ward, tying the game at 2-2.

Just like they did in the first inning, the Rockies loaded the bases with no outs in the second. Tovar drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, and Ryan McMahon followed with a three-run homer to put Colorado up 6-2.

However, Canning remained in the game and immediately turned things around. Following the homer by McMahon, he retired the next 14 batters he faced.

Canning lasted six innings, giving up six runs and six hits. He walked two and struck out six.

Quantrill was tagged for seven runs and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings, walking two and fanning four.

--Field Level Media