Philadelphia Phillies vs Los Angeles Angels Box Score on Aug 01, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Aug 2, 2017

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Albert Pujols drove in a season-high five runs Tuesday night as the Los Angeles Angels routed the Philadelphia Phillies 7-1.

Pujols lined a two-run double in the fifth inning off Phillies starter Aaron Nola (8-7) to give the Angels a 2-1 lead. His three-run homer to left field off reliever Mark Leiter Jr. in the seventh made it 5-1.

The win moved the Angels (52-55) four games behind Kansas City (55-50) for the second American League wild-card spot.

It was the 37-year-old Pujols' second big game in a row. He was 3-for-5 with two home runs, four RBIs and three runs Sunday in the Angels' 11-10 loss at Toronto. That burst came after he was hitless in 24 at-bats over his previous five games.

Los Angeles starter Ricky Nolasco (5-12) allowed six hits and walked two in six innings, striking out five and allowing one run. He stranded seven runners.

Trailing 5-1, the Phillies missed a great opportunity in the seventh against Keynan Middleton. Catcher Cameron Knapp hit a line drive that left fielder Ben Revere misjudged, taking a step in before realizing it was over his head for a double.

Cesar Hernandez followed with a grounder to shortstop Andrelton Simmons, who looked at Knapp before throwing to first. Hernandez initially was called out, but the Phillies challenged the call, and it was reversed on replay.

Middleton rallied from the situation, getting Freddy Galvis to fly to center, striking out Aaron Altherr on a foul tip and getting Tommy Joseph looking on a 93 mph fastball.

The Angels added two runs in the eighth against reliever Drew Anderson.

Nola allowed eight hits, a walk and two runs in six innings, his eighth straight start allowing two runs or fewer. The Philadelphia offense didn't provide much help, stranding nine in the game.

The Phillies parlayed an infield single, an error by Nolasco and a run-scoring single by Joseph into a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

The Angels had three straight singles in the bottom of the third but didn't produce a run. Yunel Escobar and Mike Trout singled with two outs. Pujols followed with a single to left, but Nick Williams threw Escobar out at the plate.

The play was reviewed. Television replays showed catcher Knapp tagging Escobar high on the hip as his feet slid across the plate, but after a two-minute, 24-second review, the call was upheld. The best TV replay available was partially obscured by plate umpire Quinn Walcott making his call.

The Angels broke through against Nola in the fifth. With two outs, Escobar singled and Trout walked, setting the stage again for Pujols, who lined a 1-1 pitch down the right field line for a two-run double.

NOTES: Angels 3B Yunel Escobar left the game after grabbing his back after a swing in the seventh inning ... The Angels recalled RHP Eduardo Parades and OF Ramon Flores from Triple-A Salt Lake, and they optioned RHP Brooks Pounders to Salt Lake. Flores was recalled with RF Kole Calhoun sidelined temporarily due to a strained right hamstring. ... Angels LHP Tyler Skaggs had a 4 2/3-inning rehab start for Salt Lake on Monday, allowing five hits and walking three. The Angels are expected to activate him from the disabled list in time to start Saturday's game against Oakland. ... Angels RHP Huston Street is likely done for the season after sustaining a mild rotator cuff strain, his third injury of the season. ... Phillies RHP Drew Anderson was recalled from Double-A Reading. ... Phils RHP Pedro Beato was placed on the 10-day DL with a hamstring strain. He pitched in one game since being recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.