Angels slip past Diamondbacks 6-5 on d'Arnaud's RBI single in ninth

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Travis d’Arnaud hit a pinch-hit RBI single down the left-field line in the ninth inning to give the Los Angeles Angels a 6-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night.

Logan O’Hoppe was hit by a pitch with one out against left-hander Kyle Backhus (0-1) before Luis Rengifo singled and d’Arnaud delivered in place of Gustavo Campero.

Zach Neto and Yoan Moncada each hit home runs in the first inning for the Angels, while Nolan Schanuel and Rengifo each had three hits as LA improved to 7-3 against NL West teams this season.

Randal Grichuk hit a pair of home runs and drove in three runs as the Diamondbacks dropped to 3-7 since July 2.

Arizona right-hander Ryne Nelson gave up four runs on seven hits with four walks over four innings, while Los Angeles left-hander Tyler Anderson gave up four runs on eight hits with two walks over five innings.

Neto and Moncada powered a four-run first inning for the Angels, while the Diamondbacks followed with a four-run second that included Grichuk's home run and a two-run double from Alek Thomas.

After Rengifo gave the Angels a 5-4 lead with a double in the fifth inning, Grichuk tied the game with another home run in the eighth.

Kenley Jansen (3-2) pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the Angels.

Angels catcher O’Hoppe, who was shaken up when Thomas scored on a slide in the third inning, walked and stole second base with two outs in the fifth ahead of Rengifo’s RBI double.

Neto has seven leadoff home runs, all this season, and tied the franchise record previously held by Brian Downing (1987).

Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (7-9, 5.15 ERA), who is much improved over his last two starts, will take the mound Saturday opposite Angels LHP Yusei Kikuchi (3-6. 3.02), who is his club’s only All-Star.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Los Angeles Angels' Logan O'Hoppe celebrates after scoring on a Travis d'Arnaud walk-off single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, July 11, 2025 in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Lourdes Gurriel Jr., right, is congratulated by Randal Grichuk after making a catch on a ball hit by Los Angeles Angels' Jo Adell during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, July 11, 2025 in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Angels' Travis d'Arnaud, right, celebrates with Logan O'Hoppe, center, and Nolan Schanuel after hitting a walk-off single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, July 11, 2025 in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Angels' Travis d'Arnaud, left, s doused with liquid by Zach Neto, center, and Nolan Schanuel after hitting a walk-off single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, July 11, 2025 in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

CINCINNATI (AP) — After opening the season as the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns facing the Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Flacco will close the season as the backup for the Bengals as they face the Browns on Sunday.

Flacco was dealt to the Bengals in October and made six starts for the Bengals while Joe Burrow was out with a toe injury.

“I don’t really think about putting a label on it,” Flacco said. “It’s crazy. Seasons always go by quick once they’ve started. But the way that this one went, it seems like it flew by.”

During the summer, in Cleveland Browns training camp, Flacco won a competition for the starting quarterback job and made four starts for Cleveland. In Week 1 against the Bengals, Flacco threw for 290 yards.

He said that over the past 17 weeks, he has seen improvement from the Bengals defense. Now, he refers to the Bengals defense as his team’s defense.

“We’re stopping the run,” Flacco said. “We’re getting more pressure on the quarterback. When you combine those two things, it’s going to help you out.”

While Flacco went 1-5 as a starter in Cincinnati, the 40-year-old played well. He threw for at least 200 yards in four of his six starts, and the Bengals offense averaged more than 27 points per game.

Flacco said that he developed a lot of respect for Bengals coach Zac Taylor.

“He has a lot of strengths,” Flacco said. “He’s really good at what he does. His demeanor, his overall personality and the way he leads men is really good. The way he puts game plans together. Also, he’s willing to allow it to be collaborative. That’s a strength. His game day play-calling is also something he does really well.”

Burrow took over as the starter when he returned on Thanksgiving, and Flacco has been the backup over the past month.

Flacco will be a free agent again at the end of the season. As he evaluates his options, he’s hoping to find another chance to play and to start.

“That’s always a priority,” Flacco said. “I’m somebody who wants to play football. You’ve got to assess and see whatever is thrown your way. You have to go from there and see what you can do about it.”

He said that he’d be open to returning to the Bengals, but he’ll weigh several factors.

“I haven’t really thought about it,” Flacco said. “I don’t hope to do anything. I have an idea of maybe of what some goals would be. I’ll go from there and see what happens.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco throws during pregame warmups before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) calls a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)