Nationals fail to spoil Angels pitcher’s milestone return in loss

ANAHEIM, Calif. — After pitching out of hassle within the fourth inning, Griffin Canning labored a 1-2-3 fifth. He left the mound to an ovation and a congratulatory handshake from Angels supervisor Phil Nevin.

“You could see it on his face after that fifth,” Nevin stated. “I told him, ‘Congrats. Welcome back.’”

An in any other case strange April weekday sport was one thing particular for Canning, who’s lastly all the way in which again from harm.

Canning pitched 5 innings of five-hit ball in his first massive league look in almost 22 months, and rookie Logan O’Hoppe drove within the tiebreaking run in Los Angeles’ 3-2 victory over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday.

The sport was a milestone within the rehabilitation odyssey of Canning, who hadn’t pitched within the majors since June 2, 2021. The Gold Glove-winning right-hander and Orange County native had a again harm that finally scuttled the remainder of the 2021 season after which stored him off the sphere completely in 2022, with one setback after one other piling up.

Though he had a highlight firmly educated on him whereas an enormous group of his highschool family and friends watched from the stands, Canning acknowledged no additional nerves.

“I’m prepared for this,” he stated. “I’ve been doing it for the last year and a half to get ready for this moment. I felt ready, and just excited to get out there.”

Canning began with three innings of one-hit ball, however Washington acquired 4 consecutive hits to begin the fourth. Joey Meneses had an RBI single earlier than a run-scoring groundout by Luis García. Canning escaped the jam, although, and got here by with an ideal fifth.

Canning didn’t actually really feel a way of satisfaction about his comeback till after the sport, when he met up with the household and mates who had steadfastly supported him by all of it.

“That’s probably the most rewarding part,” he stated. “Just seeing them, knowing they have my back and that they’re really rooting for me, too.”

Matt Moore (1-0) pitched the sixth, and José Quijada labored the ninth for his second save to cap 4 innings of one-hit aid from the Angels’ inconsistent bullpen.

Brett Phillips scored an early run, drove in one other with a bases-loaded stroll and stole a possible homer from Keibert Ruiz in heart discipline throughout his eventful first begin for the Angels, who took two of three from the Nationals.

Ruiz and Jeimer Candelario had two hits apiece for Washington, which went 3-4 on its highway journey.

“We hit some balls good,” supervisor Dave Martinez stated. “We hit some balls in the air. Ruiz hit a homer. Got robbed. We battled back, but we just couldn’t make it happen.”

MacKenzie Gore yielded 4 hits and 4 walks with six strikeouts for the Nats, his management points forcing him out within the fourth inning.

Shohei Ohtani acquired a break day after pitching seven scoreless innings of one-hit ball Tuesday evening. Mike Trout went 0 for 3 in Ohtani’s spot because the designated hitter, placing the three-time AL MVP in an 0-for-14 skid.

So the Angels acquired unlikely offense from Phillips, their journeyman fourth outfielder.

After drawing a stroll within the third, he stole second earlier than stealing third and rapidly scoring on Ruiz’s throwing error. Phillips then drew a two-out stroll with the bases loaded within the fourth to tie it.

“It means a lot to myself, (because) I’m playing behind some All-Stars,” Phillips stated. “When it’s my turn to play, things can’t skip a beat. We’ve got the best lineup in the game.”

Phillips made a leaping catch on Ruiz’s drive on the wall in heart to finish the sixth, prompting Ruiz to spike his batting helmet in frustration.

O’Hoppe, the Angels’ promising rookie catcher, acquired his team-leading eleventh RBI within the sixth, driving in Brandon Drury along with his single off Mason Thompson (0-1).

TRAINER’S ROOM

Nationals: García returned from a four-game absence with hamstring tightness. He hadn’t performed since leaving Washington’s sport at Colorado final Friday.

Angels: Canning made sufficient progress this spring to earn an opportunity on the sixth rotation spot. The Halos don’t plan to make use of six starters as rigorously this season as they’ve accomplished throughout Ohtani’s tenure, however Nevin stated Canning will get one other flip within the rotation throughout their highway journey.

UP NEXT

Nationals: After a break day, Trevor Williams (1-1, 4.35 ERA) makes his third begin for his new group when Washington opens a five-game homestand in opposition to Cleveland.