Angels fall to Nationals 7-4 on June 29, 2025, as Kenley Jansen's blown save and a bullpen collapse in extras spoil a promising Wild Card push. Read why.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when it felt like the Angels were turning a corner, a brutal Sunday night collapse sent them tumbling back below .500. After leading the Washington Nationals for most of the game, a ninth-inning blown save and an eleventh-inning meltdown resulted in a soul-crushing 7-4 loss, halting the team's momentum and reminding fans just how fragile a playoff push can be.
Washington rookie James Wood was intentionally walked four times, tying a rare MLB record.
The script was written for a series-clinching victory. The Angels carried a 4-3 lead into the ninth inning, handing the ball to veteran closer Kenley Jansen. But the win slipped through their fingers when Jacob Young slapped an RBI single to tie the game. The real damage came in the 11th, as Connor Brogdon surrendered a go-ahead double to Drew Millas, followed by a back-breaking two-run triple from CJ Abrams that sealed the Angels' fate. The loss wasted a solid start from Griffin Canning (6 IP, 3 R) and offensive production from Taylor Ward, who launched a two-run homer, and Logan O'Hoppe, who added an RBI double.
Sunday's loss was particularly painful because of the context. The Angels had battled all month to climb back to a 40-40 record, fueled by a 23-15 run since mid-May. They were playing their best baseball of the season, putting themselves just 1.5 games out of a Wild Card spot. This defeat not only drops them to 40-41 but serves as a harsh reality check. Despite their recent surge and the contributions of players like Yusei Kikuchi, the team's negative run differential suggests they've been playing on a knife's edge, and games like this are the ones they simply can't afford to give away.
While the team fights for a playoff spot, its superstar continues to be limited. Mike Trout remains restricted to designated hitter duties due to lingering soreness in his left knee, a situation that has persisted for three weeks since his return from the IL. While his bat is a crucial part of the lineup, his absence in right field puts pressure on the team's defense. With no trades or roster moves made on Monday, the Angels are clearly committed to winning with their current group, but Trout's day-to-day status remains a significant variable in their second-half equation.
For fans needing a silver lining after a tough loss, look no further than the farm system. In Triple-A Salt Lake, first base prospect C.J. Kayfus had a monster game, smashing a grand slam as part of a four-hit performance. His breakout is a bright spot in a system that continues to churn out intriguing talent, with hard-throwing pitcher Travis Sykora also turning heads. It's a promising sign that while the big-league club fights for today, the future of the organization is getting stronger.
One gut-wrenching loss doesn't erase a month of progress, but it certainly raises the stakes. This Angels team has shown it has the fight to hang in the playoff race, but the margin for error is razor-thin. With the bullpen's reliability in question and Trout's health still a variable, the Halos must bounce back immediately to prove this was just a speed bump on the road to October, not a sign of things to come.
