Rockies Rally in Ninth, Top Angels in Extras

Jake Cave of the Rockies yelling in celebration of his game-tying home run against the Angels

Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

August 2, 2024

Rockies 5, Angels 4 (10 innings)

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Aug. 1) — Every win counts the same in the standings, but some wins feel better than others. For the Colorado Rockies, Thursday night’s dramatic come-from-behind victory over the Los Angeles Angels fell in the latter category. A game-tying two run homer from Jake Cave with two outs in the top of the ninth saved the Rockies from defeat, and they took advantage of an Angels error in the tenth to pull off a dramatic 5–4 victory. The win gave them the series victory, their third out of four since the All-Star Break.

Both starting pitchers — Ryan Feltner for the Rockies and Carson Fulmer for the Angels — pitched well. They each lasted six innings and notched quality starts. Feltner allowed three runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out three. Fulmer was even better, allowing two runs on three hits, walking one and striking out eight.

“This was a good one,” manager Bud Black said with a smile, “coming off our series in San Francisco and then coming back here, winning two in a row. Two close games. Last night, two to one, then tonight, extra innings. Really, really good stuff. So this is going to be a good bus ride down (to San Diego) for everybody.”

Rockies – Angels Game Summary

Rockies first baseman Michael Toglia opened the scoring with one out in the top of the second. He smashed a two-run homer, scoring second baseman Brendan Rodgers to give the Rockies a 2–0 lead. Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe responded in the bottom of the fourth with a 454-foot bomb to center, scoring Willie Calhoun to tie the game.

The Angels broke the tie in the bottom of the sixth with a solo homer to right-center by center fielder Mickey Moniak. They extended the lead in the seventh off new pitcher John Curtiss. A one-out single by first baseman Nolan Schanuel turned into a run on a two-out double to the left-field corner by left fielder Taylor Ward.

Scoreless relief from Jose Quijada in the seventh and Ben Joyce in the eighth sent the game to the ninth with the Angels holding a 4–2 lead. Hunter Strickland came in to close the game in the ninth. He walked McMahon before striking out Rodgers and retiring Toglia on a fly to center. Right fielder Jake Cave stepped to the plate as the Rockies’ last hope. After running the count to 3–0, Cave took a get-me-over fastball down the middle, making the count 3–1. The next pitch was also a fastball down the middle but a tiny bit lower. Cave belted it 412 feet to the camera platform in dead center, tying the game with a two-run homer.

Extras

A scoreless bottom of the ninth from Victor Vodnik took the game to extra innings. Aaron Schunk, running for catcher Jacob Stallings, headed to second as the automatic runner. Left fielder Sam Hilliard led off against new pitcher Hans Crouse. He dropped a bunt and bolted up the line. With his speed, Strickland had to hurry the throw, and it was low. The ball squirted by second baseman Luis Guillorme, allowing Schunk to score the go-ahead run as Hilliard reached first safely. Designated hitter Charlie Blackmon struck out before shortstop Ezequiel Tovar flied to center, bringing up Doyle with two outs. Hilliard stole second, but Doyle struck out on the next pitch, sending the game to the bottom of the 10th.

Tyler Kinley took the mound for the Rockies to close, with Guillorme at second as the automatic runner. Kinley struck out Ward for the first out. A wild pitch to Calhoun advanced Guillorme to third and brought the infield in. Calhoun ripped a hot grounder to the right side. Toglia reacted quickly, scooping up the rocket and forcing Guillorme to hold at third as he stepped on the bag for the second out. Up came O’Hoppe, who hit a grounder up the middle. Kinley reacted quickly to knock the ball down before scooping it up and making the easy underhanded toss to first to end the game.

What Went Right for the Rockies

Took Early Lead

The Rockies scored first once again in this game, something they did in each game of the series. Unlike the previous two games, however, it came in the second inning rather than the first.

Quality Start from Feltner

Ryan Feltner, despite leaving with the Rockies behind, earned a quality start. This kept the Rockies in the game and made their comeback effort in the ninth less difficult. “There was good defense behind me,” Feltner said, “and Stallings guided me well. Obviously, we were able to come back and score some runs. I’m happy I was able to keep us in the game and give us a chance.”

Back-End Relief

Angel Chivilli tossed a scoreless eighth, retiring the side in order. Vodnik pitched a scoreless ninth, and Kinley did the same in the tenth.

“It’s huge,” Kinley said of his young teammates’ ability to come through Thursday night. “This series, our starting pitching did excellent. Our lineup, too — we got early runs, which is huge, since it’s sometimes difficult for us on the road. That’s big for us to set the tone that way. So at that point, we in the bullpen want to come in and get our outs as quickly as we can and get the lineup back out there. The guys that came in tonight did a great job of getting their outs as quickly as they could and moving on to the next guy.”

Defense

Hilliard made a sliding catch on a sinking liner in shallow left off the bat of Brandon Drury to end the fourth. Toglia and Kinley, as mentioned earlier, also made nice defensive plays in the tenth.

The defense in the tenth became especially important after the wild pitch. “That changed things,” Kinley said, “because now with the runner on third and less than two outs, we gotta either get a swing and miss or keep the ball in the infield.” He added, “Toglia’s hands are so elite over there at first base, and our whole infield has and will continue to win Gold Gloves, so we’re trusting them at that point.”

Even though he knows what Toglia can do, Black was still impressed with what played out. “That was a bullet (from Calhoun); that was a missile right at (Toglia),” Black said. “Great reaction. We know that Michael can play defense. That’s his calling card besides the power. He’s a two-way player. But that ball was a bullet, and he reacted. Some people might say it caught him, but I’m gonna give him credit and say he caught that bullet.”

“I caught it,” Toglia grinned. “We practice that with a little dimple ball machine from five feet away. I didn’t see it, but it was in my glove.” (Cave heard Toglia say this from a few feet away, prompting him to laugh in the background and say with a smile, “I love that!”)

What Went Wrong for the Rockies

Didn’t Pad Lead

After taking the 2–0 lead in the second, the Rockies did not score again until the game-tying home run in the ninth. This gave the Angels a chance to come back and take the lead.

Runners in Scoring Position

Of the five runners the Rockies left on base, four were in scoring position. For the game, they were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

Quick Hits

Ezequiel Tovar went 0-for-5, ending his hitting streak at 17 games. It was the longest active streak in the league. … Feltner now has notched a quality start in six of his last seven games. Despite his record in that stretch being 0–4, his ERA across 40 2/3 innings is 2.88. Additionally, he has 33 strikeouts, 17 walks, and a 1.279 WHIP. … According to Stathead, Cave’s ninth-inning home run was the first game-tying or game-winning home run in the ninth inning or later in his major league career.

Looking Ahead

Vodnik (3–1) earned the win, and Crouse (4–3) took the loss, both in relief. Kinley notched his sixth save of the season.

The Rockies (40–70) head to San Diego next for a three-game weekend series with the Padres (59–51), and the Angels (47–62) will stay home for a three-game series with the New York Mets (57–51). Lefty Austin Gomber (2–7, 4.79 ERA) will start the first game for the Rockies against Padres righty Randy Vasquez (3–6, 4.82 ERA). First pitch will be 6:40 pm Pacific/7:40 pm Mountain Friday evening. In Anaheim Friday evening, right-hander Paul Blackburn (4–2, 4.41 ERA) will make his Mets debut, facing Angels left-hander Tyler Anderson (8–9, 2.96 ERA). First pitch will be at 6:38 Pacific.