Detmers Unleashes 11-K Masterpiece, Schanuel's Clutch Knock Sinks Royals

ANAHEIM — This one had all the drama of a playoff game, minus the stakes. Actually, for these two rebuilding squads, every late-summer win matters — and Saturday night, the Angels found a way to scratch one out.

Reid Detmers was absolutely dealing. Eight innings. Two hits. Zero walks. Eleven punchouts. The lefty earned his first home win of the season in signature fashion, keeping the Royals' bats completely off balance.

It stayed scoreless until the eighth, when Wade Meckler worked a walk and Jose Siri came in to pinch-run. Siri swiped second, and then Nolan Schanuel — who was 3-for-3 on the night — laced an RBI single to center, plating the game's only run.

Tension? Plenty. But Ben Joyce shut the door with a hitless ninth, locking down his second save and sealing the Angels' fourth win in five games.

On the other side, Randy Dobnak was quietly brilliant too — 5 2/3 scoreless frames with four hits allowed and six strikeouts — but the Royals' bullpen couldn't hold the line. Nate Pearson took the loss after giving up the go-ahead run.

One bright spot for Kansas City: Jac Caglianone extended his hitting streak to 13 games, showing why he's one of the most exciting young bats in the league.

Up Next

The series finale Sunday pits Royals lefty Noah Cameron (6-8, 4.45 ERA) against Angels righty Ryan Johnson (2-6, 6.71 ERA).