Jo Adell's 3-run homer wasn't enough as the Angels fell 4-3 to the Blue Jays on July 5, 2025, after a costly 10th-inning error. Recap the heartbreak.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a game that had all the makings of a signature win. Down to their final outs, the Angels found a hero in Jo Adell, whose dramatic three-run homer in the seventh inning ignited the crowd and tied the game. But as has happened too often this season, the elation was short-lived. A heartbreaking 4-3 loss in 10 innings to the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night served as another painful reminder of this team's razor-thin margin for error.
A throwing error by pitcher Sam Bachman allowed the winning run to score.
For six innings, it was a frustrating affair. The offense was quiet, and a win seemed to be slipping away. Then, in the bottom of the seventh, Jo Adell stepped to the plate and changed the entire complexion of the game with one swing, launching his 19th home run of the season to tie it at 3-3. The stadium erupted. Hope was restored. But the clutch hit that could have won it never came. The game stretched into extras, where a costly throwing error by reliever Sam Bachman on a bunt attempt ultimately allowed the go-ahead run to score for Toronto, sealing a tough defeat.
Despite the loss, the continued emergence of Jo Adell is a major bright spot. His game-tying blast shows he's providing real power, batting .254 on the season. He's not the only one swinging a hot bat. Taylor Ward continues to be the team's offensive anchor, leading the Halos with 20 home runs and 58 RBIs. His production places him among the league's elite, a consistent force in a lineup that needs it.
The on-field drama has been matched by movement on the roster. The team took a hit with the loss of second baseman Christian Moore, who was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left thumb sprain. In corresponding moves, the Angels parted ways with veteran reliever Héctor Neris and called up shortstop Chad Stevens from Triple-A Salt Lake. The moves signal a continued effort by the front office to find a winning combination and plug holes as they appear.
There's no time to dwell on what could have been. The Angels are right back at it on Saturday, and the challenge couldn't be steeper. They'll send Jack Kochanowicz to the mound to face a future Hall of Famer in Blue Jays ace Max Scherzer. To avoid another loss, the Halos will need to play a near-perfect game, combining the power they showed Friday with the clean defense that was ultimately their undoing. It's a tall order, but it's a chance to turn the page immediately.
