Yusei Kikuchi delivered one of his sharpest outings of the season, and Luis Rengifo provided the go-ahead hit in the eighth inning as the Los Angeles Angels edged the Cincinnati Reds 2-1 on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium.
Oddsmakers had listed the game nearly even, with the Angels closing as slight -115 favorites and the Reds at -105. The tight betting line reflected the pitchers’ duel that unfolded across much of the contest, with both starters keeping the game in check until the bullpens took over late.
Kikuchi (4-3) worked seven innings, allowing just one run on seven hits while striking out six. The left-hander showed improved efficiency, needing only 88 pitches to get through seven frames, a notable step forward after averaging over 100 pitches across his last four starts. He also managed to escape key jams, including a first-and-third, no-out threat in the second inning and a two-on, no-out situation in the sixth. He kept the Reds off the board both times, relying on well-placed fastballs and off-speed pitches to induce weak contact.
The Reds struck first in the top of the third inning when Ke’Bryan Hayes doubled and later scored on a two-out RBI single by Noelvi Marte. The Angels responded in the fourth, tying the game on a solo home run to left-center field by Yoán Moncada, his ninth of the season.
The decisive moment came in the eighth inning against Reds reliever Graham Ashcraft (7-5). Bryce Teodosio opened the frame with a double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. After Oswald Peraza grounded out, Rengifo fought off an inside pitch and dropped a bloop single just over Hayes’ head at third base, giving the Angels their first lead of the night.
Reid Detmers came on in relief to pitch a scoreless eighth inning and earned the win. With regular closer Kenley Jansen sidelined due to a rib-cage injury, Luis Garcia took the ball in the ninth. Garcia retired the side to collect his first save of the season, securing the Angels’ narrow victory.
Both starting pitchers received no-decisions but played significant roles in keeping the game tight. Cincinnati’s Nick Martinez went six innings, surrendering just two hits and one run while striking out four. Martinez allowed Moncada’s homer but limited hard contact before giving way to the bullpen.
The Reds nearly broke through again in the sixth inning when a miscommunication between Teodosio in center field and Jo Adell in right allowed Marte’s shallow fly ball to drop in for a single. With two men on and no outs, Kikuchi responded by getting Elly De Los Angeles Cruz to fly out to left, then inducing ground balls from Miguel Andújar and Hayes to preserve the 1-1 tie.
Angels shortstop Zach Neto was removed from the game after the fifth inning with left wrist soreness. He had been hit by a changeup from Martinez earlier in the game. The team said his status will be evaluated further.
The win gave Los Angeles its 61st victory of the season, improving their home record against National League opponents. The Reds fell to 64-62, losing ground in the National League wild-card race.
Both teams have Thursday off before resuming play on Friday. The Reds will open a road series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, with Zack Littell (9-8, 3.52 ERA) scheduled to start. The Angels return home to face the Chicago Cubs, with left-hander Tyler Anderson set to take the mound. Betting lines for both series openers list the Reds as slight underdogs on the road, while the Angels are projected as narrow favorites against Chicago.