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)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — It took Ismael Saibari only 21 minutes to score a goal for Morocco in his World Cup debut.

Barely a minute was enough time for him to get on the scoreboard in his second outing.

Saibari drilled a shot into the top corner of the net a mere 72 seconds into Friday's 1-0 win over Scotland at Gillette Stadium, keeping alive Morocco's chances of advancing to its second straight World Cup knockout round.

“We wanted three points and we got them,” Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said.

Morocco's ball movement caught Scotland on its heels at the very start.

Saibari slipped behind two Scotland defenders and Brahim Diaz dropped the ball over the top to him. The 25-year-old forward gathered and blasted it into the top left corner, well outside the reach of goalkeeper Angus Gunn.

Morocco, which reached the semifinals at the last World Cup in Qatar, drew 1-1 with Brazil in its Group C opener with Saibari scoring the lone goal. Scotland, which hasn’t gotten out of the group stage in its eight previous World Cup appearances, beat Haiti 1-0 in its first match.

Scotland was outshot 12-6 on Friday, struggling to get clear looks against Morocco’s defense.

The negative result didn't affect Scotland coach Steve Clarke's confidence in his team.

“We gave them a game," Clarke said. "We’re sure we can compete at this level.”

Morocco nearly scored another in the 52nd minute when a header by Bilal El Khannouss off Achraf Hakimi’s corner kick was battled down by Gunn.

Scotland had a chance in first-half stoppage time when Andy Robertson sent a cross at John McGinn, who couldn’t get a foot on it near the back post.

As Scotland pressed for an equalizing goal in the closing minutes, Morocco had a pair of good chances to add to their lead, but both missed the target.

“I thought the performance didn’t match the result, if I’m honest,” Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson said. “We took the game to them. So there are positives from both games that certainly we can take into this last game.”

Scotland will face Brazil in its final Group C match on Wednesday in Miami Gardens, Florida. Morocco will take on Haiti at the same time in Atlanta.

AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn (1) blocks a shot at goal during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)

Morocco's Ismael Saibari, top right, scores his side's opening goal during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Morocco's Ismael Saibari, left, scores his side's opening goal pst Scotland's Jack Hendry during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Morocco's Ismael Saibari, top right, scores his side's opening goal during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Morocco's Ismael Saibari, left, is congratulated after scoring his side's opening goal during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)