PHOENIX, Ariz. — The Arizona Diamondbacks opened their three-game interleague series against the Los Angeles Angels with a hard-fought 4-3 victory Monday night at Chase Field. Behind a strong outing from Ryne Nelson, timely hitting from Pavin Smith and Geraldo Perdomo, and a late save from Paul Sewald, Arizona improved to 37-35 while the Angels fell to 29-44.

In front of 29,457 fans at Chase Field, the Diamondbacks overcame an early deficit and capitalized on defensive miscues by Los Angeles to secure the win in a game that lasted just 2 hours and 17 minutes.

Angels Strike First Behind Jo Adell
The Angels wasted little time getting on the scoreboard against Nelson.

After Mike Trout singled in the opening inning, Jo Adell delivered an RBI double into right field, bringing Trout home from first base and giving Los Angeles an early 1-0 lead.

Arizona answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning. After Geraldo Perdomo reached on a walk and advanced to third following a collision between Angels outfielders Jo Adell and Oswald Peraza in foul territory, Gabriel Moreno hit a ground ball that resulted in a throwing error. Perdomo crossed the plate to tie the game at 1-1.

The inning also marked the return of Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list earlier in the day. To make room on the roster, Arizona optioned outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt to Triple-A Reno.

Defensive Mistake Gives Arizona the Lead
The game remained tied through the second and third innings as both starting pitchers settled in.

Arizona broke the deadlock in the fourth inning thanks to aggressive baserunning and another Angels defensive mistake.

Corbin Carroll opened the inning with a single before stealing second base. A throwing error by Angels catcher Logan O'Hoppe allowed Carroll to advance to third. Moments later, Gurriel delivered an RBI single to right field, scoring Carroll and giving Arizona a 2-1 lead.

Because Carroll advanced on the throwing error, the run was ruled unearned.

Mike Trout Continues Hot Stretch
The Angels answered in the fifth inning with a familiar source.

After being hit by a pitch earlier in the game, Trout stepped to the plate and launched a solo home run to right field. The blast was his 16th home run of the season, tying the game at 2-2 and giving Los Angeles renewed momentum.

Trout finished the night with multiple hits and remained one of the few consistent offensive threats in the Angels lineup.

Ryne Nelson Delivers Quality Start
Despite allowing the early run and Trout's home run, Nelson turned in one of his strongest starts of the season.

The Arizona right-hander consistently worked out of traffic, stranding runners in scoring position in the third and sixth innings while keeping the Angels from delivering a big inning.

Nelson improved to 3-5 on the season and provided Arizona exactly what it needed from the starting rotation.

Meanwhile, Angels starter Walbert Urena matched Nelson for much of the night before Arizona finally broke through in the seventh.

Seventh Inning Decides the Game
The decisive frame began with Jordan Lawlar being hit by a pitch. Moments later, Lawlar was picked off first base after a successful challenge review confirmed the out.

The Diamondbacks quickly recovered.

Pavin Smith stepped to the plate and crushed a solo home run that barely stayed fair, striking the right-field foul pole. The 362-foot blast was Smith's first home run of the 2026 season and gave Arizona a 3-2 advantage.

The rally continued when Ketel Marte singled and later scored on a clutch RBI double from Geraldo Perdomo, extending the Diamondbacks' lead to 4-2.

Those two runs would ultimately prove to be the difference.

Arizona Bullpen Slams the Door
Arizona's bullpen took over in the eighth inning.

Jonathan Loaisiga retired the Angels in order, with Ketel Marte handling all three ground-ball outs at second base.
In the ninth, veteran closer Paul Sewald entered looking for his 18th save of the season. Before recording the save, Sewald notched his 500th career strikeout when he fanned Denzer Guzman.

​The Angels made things interesting when Donovan Walton launched a solo home run to right field, cutting Arizona's lead to 4-3. Sewald quickly regrouped and struck out Oswald Peraza to end the game and secure the save.
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​Key Performers
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Arizona Diamondbacks

Los Angeles Angels

Winning Pitcher: Ryne Nelson (3-5)
Losing Pitcher: Walbert Urena (4-5)
Save: Paul Sewald (18)

What’s Next?
The Diamondbacks will look to secure a series lead when the teams return to Chase Field on Tuesday, June 16, at 6:40 p.m. MST.

​Probable Pitchers:

Arizona enters Game 2 with momentum after another strong bullpen performance and a timely power surge, while the Angels will try to bounce back after leaving several scoring opportunities on the bases.
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​Past Diamondbacks Articles:
​Diamondbacks Power Past Reds 5-3, Capture Series in Cincinnati 
Diamondbacks Waste Soroka Gem in 2-1 Loss to Reds Despite Out-Hitting Cincinnati 7-3 

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