Angels blow six-run lead, swept by Royals in messy bullpen loss
Los Angeles Angels right fielder Mike Trout (27) hits a home run during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on April 26, 2026 at Kauffman Stadium. In need of a rebound after what has been a week of rigid baseball, the Los Angeles Angels only dug their hole further on a rain-riddled Sunday at Kauffman Stadium. Up 6-0 early on after an early offensive outburst in the first two innings, things looked in order for the Angels as they held their lead throughout — until the Royals were down to their final out of the game, rallied to tie the game with their backs against the wall in the bottom of the ninth.
After a lengthy rain-delay and with Drew Pomeranz on the mound looking for the save, Jac Caglianone launched a home run just fair to tie the game at 8-8. After the Angels took the lead in the 10th, the same suit followed when Lane Thomas launched a three-run walk-off bomb to put the nail on a coffin of a disastrous bullpen effort. Reliever Joey Lucchesi was charged with the loss for his 10th inning implosion on the day he was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake.
The move was correspondive to the Angels designating Jordan Romano for assignment, who served as the team’s closer in the opening weeks of the season. Reliever Shaun Anderson was also DFA’d this morning. Following many flashes of complete baseball in the opening weeks of the season, the Angels have lacked that same look over the last week — losing their third straight series.
They had a strong shot at salvaging a sweep, but instead fell deeper into their woes. The Angels have now lost seven of their last eight games, sitting five games under . 500 with a record of 12-17.
Pitching was unable to hold their own throughout the sweep, but Reid Detmers put together a solid effort in his sixth start of the year. In five innings of work, the southpaw tossed five strikeouts and allowed three runs, his ERA now sitting at 4. 26 on the year.