Reid Detmers strikes out 14, Angels score walk-off

Reid Detmers had a career-high 14 strikeouts and pinch runner Donovan Walton touched home on an errant throw in the ninth to give the Angels a walk-off 2-1 win at Angel Stadium and their first three-game sweep of the season.

With one out and runners on first and second in the ninth, third baseman Oswald Peraza grounded into a fielder’s alternative at second. Rangers second baseman Justin Foscue bobbled the ball and first baseman Jake Burger couldn’t cleanly subject his throw, permitting Walton to advance from second to score the game-winning run.

The Angels’ dugout erupted as Walton scored.

“That was amazing,” Peraza said. “I went up there and just put the ball in play, and not trying too much. I’m happy for the sweep. And yeah, amazing.”

The win sealed the Angels’ fourth sequence victory and second three-game successful streak of the yr.

Detmers (1-5) entered on a three-game skid and completed dominantly after yielding a second-inning home run to Burger.

The left-handed pitcher finally gave up one hit and one run through eight innings — his first time pitching through eight innings in 2026 and first time since his no-hitter as a rookie in 2022 — while setting a new personal best with 14 strikeouts to zero walks.

“I mean, you realize it, but you don’t really think much of it,” Detmers said when requested if he was conscious of his strikeout rely. “It’s more just, ‘How can I get this next guy out?’ Like I said a little bit ago, just stick with the process, don’t overthink stuff. There’s not a whole lot that goes into it, to be honest with you …”

In entrance of an announced crowd of 36,903 on “Little League Day” in Anaheim, the 26-year-old used 96 pitches to decrease his ERA from 5.07 to 4.57 in the win.

Rangers left-handed starter MacKenzie Gore (3-4) dueled, too, giving up one hit, two walks and one run through six innings.

“Gore was really good today,” Detmers said. “His stuff was really good today. He kept us off balance and got out of a couple of big situations.”

But the Angels’ offense, ending with 4 hits, discovered a method to make do without solely relying on the long ball.

Mike Trout began the Angels’ scoring in the third with a two-out single to score Sebastián Rivero from second and tie the score at one.

The Angels’ run help behind Detmers was far from excellent. But Angels supervisor Kurt Suzuki is proud of his group’s effort in what was a pitcher’s duel.

“Like we talked about, you put the ball in play, things happen,” Suzuki said. “You never know what can happen when you put the ball in play. And you know, [Peraza] showed right there with the speed and putting it in play … forcing the issue a little bit.”

After Detmers and Gore sat down, Gavin Collyer (0-1) earned the loss, and Angels right-handed reliever Sam Bachman earned his first win of the yr after placing out Rangers proper fielder Brandon Nimmo to get out of a two-out, bases-loaded jam in the ninth.

Glad his group gained, Detmers considers Sunday’s recreation his second-best profession efficiency after his no-hitter. Suzuki, who was Angels teammates with Detmers during his no-hitter from 4 seasons in the past, also chimed in.

“Yeah, I mean, never discredit a no-hitter, right?” Suzuki said. “A no-hitter is special. But for him, I think what made [Sunday] … he was better was the strikeouts, right? It was not many balls put in play, that’s for sure … He struck out 14 guys, [and] to do it under 100 pitches, that’s even more impressive. That means you’re getting in, getting out of there really quick. So, I think … just probably the best start he’s had.”

Despite the latest uproar among followers annoyed with the Angels, whose 20-34 file is tied for worst in MLB with the Rockies, the Angels goal to keep sizzling.

“Well, as you know, we need more wins,” Peraza said. “[We’re] working very hard every day for that result.”