Rookie-level Angels sweep their way to first Arizona Complex League title
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The Rookie-level ACL Angels were crowned champions of the Arizona Complex League after powering up to sweep the ACL Giants with a 14-9 victory in Game 2 of the best-of-3 Finals on Monday night. It was the first title in the Rookie-level Angels affiliate's history.
The Angels topped the Arizona Complex League Central Division with a 38-22 overall record during the regular season, the second-best mark on the circuit behind the Giants. In Game 1, the Angels recorded 10 hits en route to a 6-3 win. In the finale, they provided even more offense.
After a quick first inning for both squads, Athanael Duarte got on the scoreboard with a solo homer to left field. The Giants took the lead on a two-run double by Jesus Alexander in the bottom of the frame, but the Angels stormed back with a five-run third highlighted by Yeremi Villahermosa's two-run homer.
The Giants responded again and tied up the game with a four-run frame in their half of the inning. Oliver Tejeda launched a three-run homer and San Francisco's No. 7 prospect Rayner Arias added an RBI double.
Duarte came through again with a run-scoring double as the Angels added four in the fourth, and Angels No. 25 prospect Hayden Alvarez padded the lead with a two-run triple in the fifth. Giants No. 4 prospect Jhonny Level also raced around the bases on a two-RBI triple later that inning. Los Angeles' No. 27 prospect Marlon Quintero rounded out the game's scoring with a two-run single in the sixth.
Left-hander Yokelvin Reyes twirled the final 2 1/3 scoreless frames, inducing a groundout to first base to close out the victory and the season.
During the regular season, the Angels stood second on the circuit with 523 hits, third with 314 RBIs and fourth with a .268 average and 368 runs over 60 games. Alvarez led the squad with a .335 average and an .856 OPS. The Angels also sported the second-best ERA (4.06) behind their duo of Brayan Vergara (2.47) and Angels No. 9 prospect Trey Gregory-Alford (3.54).