Walsh hits 3-run homer in 11th, Angels beat Rockies 5-2

DENVER (AP) — Jared Walsh felt the solid contact and heard the dugout erupt.

After that, he's foggy on details. Being on cloud nine can do that.

Walsh hit a two-out, three-run homer in the 11th inning and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Colorado Rockies 5-2 on Saturday night.

The 27-year-old first baseman lined a slider from Tyler Kinley (0-2) over the wall in right-center. He knew in an instant it was gone, posing for just a moment before tossing his bat aside.

This was Walsh’s fourth straight game with a homer.

“It’s something I’m going to hold on to for a long time and cherish no matter how my career goes,” Walsh said.

He's made quite an impact since being recalled from the team's alternate training site on Aug. 28. He just needed a little time to settle in.

“I think most people that are not experienced at this level are a little bit nervous,” said Walsh, a 39th-round pick in 2015 out of the University of Georgia. “I’m pretty sure if I played in a beer league softball game I’d have some nerves."

Ty Buttrey (2-3) pitched out of a jam in the 10th to earn the win. Matt Andriese picked up the save by throwing an efficient 11th as the Angels improved to 3-5 in extra innings. Anthony Rendon ended the game with a catch over the dugout railing.

Kinley struck out four in 1 2/3 innings of work. In the 11th, he walked Andrelton Simmons with Shohei Ohtani starting at second base under baseball’s new extra-inning rules. That set the stage for Walsh.

“He’s got power. His hands are that good,” Angels manager Joe Maddon said. “It’s no big secret as to why he can do what he’s been doing.”

Both teams squandered opportunities in the 10th. Justin Upton and Max Stassi struck out with a runner at third.

In the bottom half, Trevor Story fanned and...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Walsh-hits-3-run-homer-in-11th-Angels-beat-15563100.php