Angels Edge Yankees in Thrilling Extra-Innings Pitchers’ Duel
June 17, New York – In a classic battle dominated by pitching, the Los Angeles Angels managed to outlast the New York Yankees with a hard-fought 1-0 extra-innings victory on Monday night at Yankee Stadium.
The difference came in the top of the 11th inning, when Nolan Schanuel delivered a clutch, broken-bat double down the left-field line off Yankees reliever Jonathan Loaisiga (0-1). Schanuel’s grounder easily scored automatic runner Christian Moore, giving the Angels the crucial edge they needed.
The Angels had a chance to pile on after intentionally walking Mike Trout to load the bases, but they couldn’t capitalize further. Still, Schanuel’s decisive RBI broke Los Angeles’ three-game losing skid and marked their first 1-0 victory over the Yankees in New York since August 1, 2008.
Pitching Dominance Defines the Game
Both teams showcased elite pitching throughout the night. Jose Soriano turned in a stellar performance for the Angels, allowing just six hits and one walk over seven scoreless innings, while striking out six. Soriano followed up his previous 12-strikeout gem with another commanding outing that kept the Yankees off balance.
On the Yankees’ side, Clarke Schmidt was equally impressive. He held the Angels to just four hits over 7 2/3 innings, retiring 16 straight batters at one point. Schmidt’s only hiccup came when Christian Moore tripled in the eighth for his first career hit, but the Yankees managed to escape the inning unharmed.
Relievers Kenley Jansen and Ryan Zeferjahn (4-1) shut the door for the Angels in the ninth and tenth innings, respectively, preserving the shutout and setting the stage for Schanuel’s heroics.
Missed Opportunities Haunt Yankees
The Yankees’ offense faltered in key moments, going a painful 1-for-18 with runners in scoring position. Despite the return of slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who went 2-for-4 in his season debut after missing 70 games with elbow inflammation, New York couldn’t deliver the clutch hit they desperately needed.
Stanton gave the Yankees a glimmer of hope in the bottom of the ninth with a leadoff double, but Jansen extinguished the threat, striking out Austin Wells to keep the game scoreless.
What’s Next
For the Angels, this win is a confidence booster as they look to stabilize their season and stay competitive ahead of the trade deadline. For the Yankees, this marks their season-high fourth consecutive loss, raising concerns about their consistency in high-pressure situations.
The two teams will continue their series with both looking to rebound— the Yankees aiming to end their skid and the Angels seeking to build momentum.
