Nolan Schanuel's walk-off single gives the Angels a 2-1 win vs. the A's on June 11, 2025. José Soriano's 12 Ks set the stage for the extra-inning heroics.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was one of those nights at the Big A where the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. For nine innings, it was a classic pitcher's duel, but in the bottom of the 10th, Nolan Schanuel stepped up and delivered the moment every kid dreams of, slapping a single into shallow center to give the Angels a heart-pounding 2-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics.
José Soriano was an absolute force, striking out a career-high 12 batters and throwing a career-high 110 pitches in a masterful seven-inning performance.
With Jo Adell on second as the automatic runner, the stage was set in the bottom of the 10th. After a scoreless top half from Reid Detmers, who earned the win, Nolan Schanuel wasted no time, lining a single to center for his first career walk-off hit. The dugout erupted as Adell crossed the plate, mobbing Schanuel and celebrating a hard-fought win that extended the team's winning streak to two games.
The only reason the game was close enough for late-inning heroics was the absolutely brilliant performance from starter José Soriano. Rebounding from a tough previous outing, Soriano was simply unhittable for most of the night. He carved up the A's lineup, racking up a career-high 12 strikeouts over seven masterful innings. He allowed just one run on two hits, throwing 110 pitches and inducing an incredible 22 swings and misses. It was the kind of ace-like performance that can energize an entire pitching staff.
Before Schanuel's big hit, it was a pair of veterans who kept the Angels' hopes alive. With the team trailing 1-0 in the eighth, Travis d’Arnaud was called upon to pinch-hit and delivered in the biggest way possible, launching a solo home run to tie the game. It was his second career pinch-hit blast. Not to be outdone, reliever Hunter Strickland entered a jam in the eighth and promptly shut the door, extending his incredible scoreless streak to 11 innings since joining the club. These clutch moments from seasoned players were the bridge to victory.
This win wasn't just another notch in the belt; it continued a season-long trend of dominance over their division rival. The Angels remain undefeated against the Athletics in 2025, having swept them in a four-game series earlier this season and now taking the first two games of this set. Owning a season series against a division opponent is crucial, and the Halos are showing they have Oakland's number.
With back-to-back wins and undeniable momentum, the Angels will go for the series sweep against the A's tomorrow. After a night filled with career-best performances, clutch hitting, and walk-off magic, the team is showing a fighting spirit that could be the spark for a mid-season run. All eyes will be on the finale to see if they can keep the streak against Oakland alive and well.
