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Austin Wells played a decisive role in the New York Yankees’ dramatic 6-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night, delivering a two-run single during a five-run 10th inning at Angel Stadium. The late offensive burst turned a tense pitchers’ duel into a convincing Yankees win.
The victory moved New York to 80-60 on the season, including a 43-29 road record. The Angels fell to 53-87 after allowing the Yankees to break open a game that had been tied 1-1 through nine innings.
Austin Wells Ignites a Stunning Yankees Rally
New York entered the 10th inning with the automatic runner at second base and quickly created additional traffic. Jose Caballero singled with one out, leaving runners at the corners, before Jazz Chisholm Jr. walked against Angels reliever Luke Murphy.
After Luis Garcia Jr. popped out, the Yankees finally found their breakthrough. Austin Wells lined a two-run single to right field, bringing home the go-ahead runs and giving New York a 3-1 advantage.
The Yankees did not stop there. Cody Bellinger followed with an RBI single to center, Trent Grisham added another run-scoring single to left, and Ben Rice completed the five-run outburst with an RBI single to right. By the end of the inning, New York had built a 6-1 lead.
- Austin Wells delivered the key two-run single.
- Cody Bellinger added an RBI hit in the 10th.
- Trent Grisham and Ben Rice also drove in runs.
- The Yankees scored five times with two outs.
Cam Schlittler Dominates in a Classic Pitching Duel
The Yankees’ late rally would not have been possible without an outstanding start from Cam Schlittler. The right-hander allowed one run and two hits across eight superb innings, striking out nine and issuing no walks.
Schlittler retired 20 of the first 21 batters he faced. His only early blemish was a soft second-inning single by Vaughn Grissom, but the Angels struggled to generate consistent contact throughout the night.
Los Angeles eventually tied the game in the seventh inning when Grissom drove a 95-mph cutter over the center-field wall for a solo home run. Despite that mistake, Schlittler continued to work efficiently and completed eight innings with his team still within striking distance.
The performance further strengthened Schlittler’s remarkable season. According to the Associated Press, his American League-best ERA stood at 2.04, and he recorded his franchise-record 19th start allowing one or no runs. That moved him ahead of Ron Guidry, Whitey Ford and Jack Chesbro, who each had 18 such starts for the Yankees.
Reid Detmers Matches Schlittler Before the Late Collapse
Angels starter Reid Detmers was equally impressive for most of the evening. The left-hander gave up one run and six hits over seven innings, striking out eight without walking a batter.
New York scored its first run in the fourth inning when Amed Rosario delivered an RBI double. Detmers limited further damage and kept the Angels in the contest until the Yankees’ explosive 10th-inning sequence.
Detmers entered the game with a major league-best 1.52 ERA since the All-Star break. His strong outing continued that stretch, even though the Angels’ bullpen could not preserve the tie in extra innings.
Late Drama Adds to Yankees-Angels Thriller
The game was briefly delayed for approximately 10 minutes in the sixth inning after a 79.5-mph line drive off Ben Rice’s bat struck a photographer in the head near the first-base camera well. The photographer was able to walk to a medical emergency vehicle and shook Rice’s hand before being taken away for further evaluation.
David Bednar earned the win after striking out three during a scoreless ninth inning. Michael Fulmer took over for New York in the bottom of the 10th and surrendered a two-run homer to Moisés Ballesteros, but the Yankees had already created enough separation to secure the result.
For Austin Wells, the clutch hit added another important moment to a Yankees season shaped by close games and postseason pressure. His ability to deliver with runners in scoring position gave New York the offensive spark it needed after both starting pitchers controlled the game for much of the night.
What Comes Next for Both Teams?
The Yankees were scheduled to continue their road trip Friday night in San Diego, with Max Fried set to face the Padres and Walker Buehler. Fried entered with a 4-4 record and a 2.80 ERA.
The Angels were scheduled to travel to Pittsburgh for a Friday matchup against the Pirates. Ryan Johnson was expected to start for Los Angeles against Jared Jones.
New York remains second in the American League East at 80-60, while Los Angeles sits last in the American League West at 53-87. With the regular season moving toward its final weeks, every late-inning victory carries added importance for the Yankees’ playoff ambitions.
How did Austin Wells help the Yankees beat the Angels?
Austin Wells hit a two-run single in the 10th inning, helping start a five-run Yankees rally that turned a 1-1 tie into a 6-1 lead.
What was Cam Schlittler’s final pitching line?
Cam Schlittler allowed one run and two hits in eight innings. He struck out nine batters and did not issue a walk.
Who earned the win for New York?
David Bednar earned the victory after striking out three in a scoreless ninth inning.
What was the final score of the Yankees-Angels game?
The Yankees defeated the Angels 6-3 in 10 innings on September 2, 2026, at Angel Stadium.
