The Los Angeles Angels clinched a thrilling 7-6 walk-off victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 15, 2024, in Anaheim, California. Jo Adell drove in Taylor Ward with a single to left field during the bottom of the 10th inning, marking the Angels’ sixth consecutive win against their cross-town rivals in the Freeway Series.
Ward, who had an impressive night with two hits, including a home run, initiated the extra inning as the automatic runner at second base. He advanced to third on a successful bunt single by Christian Moore, positioning himself for Adell’s decisive hit. This win also marked the Angels’ ninth walk-off victory of the season, tying them for the most in Major League Baseball.
Connor Brogdon emerged as the winning pitcher, throwing a hitless inning in relief to improve his record to 3-1. The game showcased a dramatic turn of events, including an eighth triple play in Angels’ history.
In the top of the ninth, Dodgers’ star Shohei Ohtani hit a go-ahead home run, propelling Los Angeles to a 6-5 lead. Ohtani’s drive, measuring 404 feet, was his 43rd of the season, placing him atop the National League home run leaderboard. This homer ended a streak of 21 games in which Dodgers’ reliever Kenley Jansen had not allowed an earned run.
The Angels fought back to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth. Luis Rengifo crossed home plate on a sacrifice fly by Nolan Schanuel, bringing the score to 6-6. Ben Casparius, who recorded a strikeout against Ward, ultimately ended the threat for the Dodgers.
The turning point of the game occurred in the sixth inning when the Angels executed a rare triple play. With the score tied at 5-5, Miguel Rojas and Dalton Rushing started the inning with singles. Ohtani then grounded a soft liner that was caught by shortstop Zach Neto, who completed a double play by stepping on second base and throwing to first base to triple-off Rushing.
Earlier in the game, the Dodgers had initially taken a 1-0 lead in the first inning with an RBI single from Teoscar Hernandez. The Angels responded with three runs, highlighted by Ward’s single, an RBI double from Yoan Moncada, and an RBI groundout by Adell.
The Dodgers managed to tie the score at 3-3 in the second inning, thanks to a two-run home run from Rushing, who drove in Alex Freeland, who had walked. Ward reclaimed the lead for the Angels in the third inning with his 28th home run, a deep drive to center field. The Angels extended their lead to 5-3 in the fourth when Bryce Teodosio recorded his first Major League RBI with a double that scored Rengifo.
The Dodgers leveled the score again in the fifth inning, thanks to a two-out RBI single from Hernandez and a bases-loaded walk by Pages off reliever Ryan Zeferjahn.
This remarkable game highlighted the intensity and competitiveness of the Freeway Series, leaving fans excited for future matchups between these Southern California rivals.
