The Angels vs Athletics matchup delivered a dramatic comeback at Sutter Health Park on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, as the Athletics erased a six-run deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Angels 9-7.
The Angels appeared to be in complete control after building a 6-0 lead through the top of the sixth inning. However, the Athletics responded with nine unanswered runs from the sixth through the eighth innings before holding on for the victory.
The win moved the Athletics to 62-95 on the season, while the Angels dropped to 60-97.
Angels vs Athletics Score
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Angels | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 15 | 1 |
| Athletics | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | X | 9 | 14 | 0 |
The Athletics produced their winning rally late, scoring three runs in the seventh and four more in the eighth.
Angels Take Early Control
The Angels struck first in the opening inning when third baseman Denzer Guzman delivered an RBI groundout with runners on second and third.
Los Angeles then broke the game open in the third inning. After three consecutive singles, Guzman launched a three-run home run to extend the Angels’ advantage to 5-0.
Guzman’s homer was his eighth of the season and continued an impressive stretch at Sutter Health Park. The young third baseman eventually finished with four RBIs and a home run.
The Angels added another run in the sixth inning when Vaughn Grissom singled home a runner with two outs, pushing their lead to 6-0.
Athletics Begin Their Comeback
The Athletics finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth.
Lawrence Butler delivered an RBI triple that brought home Shea Langeliers and gave the home team its first run. The Athletics continued applying pressure after that, although an error prevented the inning from developing into a bigger rally.
The momentum shifted decisively in the seventh.
Alika Williams opened the inning with a single before Carlos Cortes drove him home with a triple. Langeliers then followed with an RBI single, cutting the Angels’ lead to 6-4.
The Athletics continued to put pressure on the Angels bullpen. Zack Gelof was hit by a pitch, and a walk to Jeff McNeil loaded the bases and brought the tying run into scoring position.
Carlos Cortes Delivers the Go-Ahead Home Run
The decisive moment of the Angels vs Athletics game came in the eighth inning.
After making a key defensive play earlier in the inning, Carlos Cortes returned to the plate and produced the biggest offensive blow of the night.
Cortes hit a two-run home run to right-center field against Angels reliever Sam Bachman, putting the Athletics ahead 7-6.
The Athletics were not finished.
With two outs, Zack Gelof hit a two-run homer to left field, his 20th home run of the season. That blast gave the Athletics a 9-6 advantage.
Gelof’s home run marked the first time he had reached 20 homers in a season.
Angels Make Ninth-Inning Push
The Angels did not go quietly.
With two outs in the ninth, Los Angeles put two runners on base. Christian Moore then hit an RBI infield single to cut the Athletics’ lead to 9-7.
That brought the tying run to the plate, but Athletics closer Hogan Harris ended the threat by striking out pinch-hitter Oswald Peraza.
Harris earned his 16th save of the season.
Mike Trout Has Three Hits
Despite the Angels’ loss, Mike Trout was one of the team’s standout performers.
Trout went 3-for-4 with a double and a walk, giving him three hits in the game. His performance helped the Angels collect 15 hits overall.
Zach Neto also reached base multiple times and stole two bases, while Vaughn Grissom finished with three hits and two RBIs.
Guzman was another major contributor for Los Angeles, going deep for his eighth homer and driving in four runs.
Athletics Get Key Contributions Across the Lineup
The Athletics finished with 14 hits and received contributions throughout the lineup.
Carlos Cortes was particularly important during the comeback, producing the go-ahead home run in the eighth inning after earlier helping spark the seventh-inning rally.
Zack Gelof’s two-run homer provided insurance and gave him his 20th home run of the season.
Lawrence Butler also played a major role with his RBI triple that started the Athletics’ comeback.
Pitching Breakdown
Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi worked 5.1 innings and allowed seven hits and two earned runs while striking out two. He left with Los Angeles holding a 6-2 lead.
The Angels bullpen, however, could not protect the advantage.
José Fermin was charged with three runs without recording an out, while Sam Bachman surrendered three runs in 1.1 innings. Blake Weiman also allowed a run in the eighth.
For the Athletics, the pitching staff kept the game within reach before the offense completed the comeback.
What the Angels vs Athletics Result Means
The 9-7 result gave the Athletics their 62nd win of the 2026 season and left them at 62-95. The Angels fell to 60-97.
The Athletics now need one more victory to avoid reaching 100 losses, according to the supplied game report.
The two teams are scheduled to meet again in the second game of the quick series. The Athletics are expected to use Jeffrey Springs, while the Angels are set to counter with rookie right-hander Walbert Urena.
The Angels vs Athletics series has therefore produced an entertaining opening game, with Los Angeles controlling most of the contest before the Athletics’ late offensive surge completely changed the result.
Angels vs Athletics Key Takeaways
- Athletics defeated the Angels 9-7.
- Los Angeles led 6-0 before the Athletics’ comeback.
- The Athletics scored nine unanswered runs from the sixth through eighth innings.
- Carlos Cortes hit the go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth.
- Zack Gelof hit his 20th home run of the season.
- Mike Trout went 3-for-4 with a double and a walk.
- Denzer Guzman hit a three-run homer and finished with four RBIs.
- Hogan Harris recorded his 16th save.
- The Angels finished with 15 hits, while the Athletics had 14.
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