Jo Adell's 2-run homer caps a 6-run inning as the Angels beat the Athletics 6-5 on June 12, securing their first home series sweep in a full year.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
For the first time in what feels like an eternity—a full year, to be exact—the Los Angeles Angels have swept a series at home. A thrilling 6-5 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday night sealed the deal, capped by a wild six-run sixth inning that saw Jo Adell once again play the hero. The brooms are out at Angel Stadium, and suddenly, the Halos have some serious momentum.
Jo Adell's go-ahead, two-run blast was his sixth home run in just the last nine games.
Things looked a bit dicey heading into the bottom of the sixth, but the Angels' offense erupted in a way we haven't seen enough this season. It was a full-team effort to erase the deficit, starting with a crucial two-RBI single from Jorge Soler that breathed life back into the dugout. Veteran catcher Travis d'Arnaud followed with a productive sacrifice fly, setting the stage for the main event. With the crowd buzzing, Jo Adell stepped up and crushed his 13th homer of the season, a two-run shot that sent the stadium into a frenzy and gave the Angels a lead they wouldn't relinquish. The inning even had some extra drama, with A's starter JP Sears getting ejected from the dugout after a heated exchange, adding fuel to the fire.
While Adell's homer will grab the headlines, this win was a true team effort. Kyle Hendricks battled through six innings, giving up three runs (two earned) but doing just enough to earn the win. In a surprising move, it was Reid Detmers who came out of the bullpen to lock down his second save of the season, a testament to the 'all hands on deck' mentality. We also have to give a huge shoutout to Travis d'Arnaud. He's quietly been on a tear, and his sac fly was just the latest clutch contribution. The backup catcher is hitting .500 (6-for-12) with two homers in his last four games, proving to be an invaluable veteran presence behind Logan O'Hoppe.
Let's not understate this: a three-game sweep at home is a massive boost for this club. It's the kind of series that can change the feeling in the clubhouse and build confidence. While the A's aren't world-beaters, they fought hard, with Brent Rooker single-handedly trying to keep them in it with two homers and four hits. But the Angels found a way to win three straight, a feat that has been frustratingly rare. Now, the question is whether they can pack this energy in their luggage for the upcoming road trip.
The celebration at Angel Stadium was sweet, but the challenge gets tougher immediately. The team now heads to Baltimore for a series against the Orioles. The Halos will send Jack Kochanowicz (3-7, 5.61 ERA) to the mound on Friday to face veteran Charlie Morton (2-7, 6.59 ERA) in a battle of struggling pitchers. This road trip will be the true test of whether this sweep was a fluke or the start of a legitimate turnaround. Let's hope the bats stay hot on the East Coast.
