ANAHEIM, Calif. — Griffin Canning hadn’t pitched in nearly two years and Brett Phillips hadn’t started a game since last year.
Both delivered for the Angels in their 3-2 victory over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday afternoon.
Canning gave up two runs in five innings in his first start since July 2, 2021. He had been dealing with a stress reaction in his low back ever since.
Phillips manufactured a run with a walk and then two stolen bases, and he drew a bases-loaded walk to push home the tying run. He also made a leaping catch at the center field fence to rob Keibert Ruiz of an extra-base hit.
Phillips had not started any of the first 11 games, and he’d batted just once. He finally got an opportunity on Wednesday because Shohei Ohtani was off and Mike Trout started at DH, allowing Phillips to play center field.
Phillips made his spectacular catch in the top of the sixth, and then in the bottom of the inning Brandon Drury led off with a double and scored on a Logan O’Hoppe single to give the Angels a lead.
The Angels’ bullpen protected the slim margin over the final three innings, with Aaron Loup, Ryan Tepera and José Quijada each working a scoreless inning. Matt Moore, who had pitched the sixth, was credited with the victory, but it no doubt felt like a victory for Canning.
The right-hander threw 69 pitches over five innings, striking out four and walking none.
Canning got into trouble in the fourth inning, when he gave up four straight singles to start the inning. After that, he retired the final three, including two strikeouts. He followed with a perfect fifth inning on just six pitches.
It was tied when Canning left, thanks to Phillips.
Phillips, who was 0 for 34 with 18 strikeouts against lefties last season, drew a leadoff walk against Washington lefty MacKenzie Gore to start the third.
Phillips stole second. He then stole third and scored when catcher Ruiz’s throw went into left field.
An inning later, the Angels loaded the bases with no outs, but Gio Urshela and O’Hoppe each struck out, leaving it up to Phillips. This time he worked the count full and drew another walk, bringing in the tying run.
©2023 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit ocregister.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
