ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Mike Trout made two spectacular defensive plays in extra innings, Albert Pujols hit a game-ending sacrifice fly in the 11th, and the Los Angeles Angels sent the Colorado Rockies to their 11th consecutive loss, 2-1 Wednesday night.
Pujols’ bases-loaded fly to left easily scored pinch-runner Taylor Featherston for the Angels, who climbed back to .500 (17-17) with their sixth win in eight games to close a nine-game homestand.
Trout leaped at the wall in the 10th to take a homer away from Troy Tulowitzki, making a potentially difficult catch look routine.
In the 11th, the AL MVP made a running catch on Daniel Descalso’s fly and uncorked a perfect throw to get Carlos Gonzalez at the plate. Umpire Phil Cuzzi initially called Gonzalez safe, but it was overturned by video review.
Colorado Rockies manager Walt Weiss had an appendectomy Wednesday night following two days of stomach discomfort.
A club spokesman said Wednesday that the 51-year-old Weiss left Angel Stadium right before batting practice with athletic trainer Keith Dugger to get a follow-up exam. He is expected to be hospitalized until Thursday afternoon, but no timetable has been established on when he will rejoin the club. Bench coach Tom Runnells will guide the team in Weiss’ absence.
The Rockies begin a four-game series up the freeway at Dodger Stadium on Thursday night.
This is Weiss’ third season with the Rockies, Weiss was the 1988 AL rookie of the year with the Oakland Athletics, and spent four of his 14 big league seasons playing shortstop for the Rockies, who were managed then by current Angels hitting coach Don Baylor.
Another Angels coach with a connection to Weiss is Alfredo Griffin, who was traded by the A’s in September 1987 because they felt that Weiss could handle the shortstop job on a regular basis.