TORONTO — Sometimes, many modern managers will tell you, the save is in the eighth inning.
The problem is, it’s also still in the ninth inning too.
Angels manager Ron Washington decided to use closer Ben Joyce to get through the heart of the Toronto Blue Jays’ order with a one-run lead in the eighth.
Joyce got the job done, but then Roansy Contreras couldn’t even get a single out in the ninth, allowing back-to-back homers to Joey Loperfido and Addison Barger in the Angels’ 5-4 loss to the Blue Jays on Friday night.
The abrupt ending spoiled a night in which Jack Kochanowicz was in line for a victory after allowing three runs in six-plus innings.
It was his third straight quality start since coming back to the majors this month. He has a 3.20 ERA in those starts.
The Angels had a 4-0 lead in the second inning, including two runs on a Jo Adell double, but then they didn’t score again.
They had a chance at a insurance run with a runner at third and one out in the ninth, but they couldn’t get him home.
More to come on this story.
