ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Kevin Pillar tucked a keepsake ball into his bag from his 1,000th career hit that meant even more to him than just putting the Los Angeles Angels ahead to stay in a series-clinching victory over the reigning World Series champions. While Pillar is a California native, his parents just retired to Texas last December and were at the ballpark for Sunday’s game, even when their son wasn’t starting against the Rangers. “Baseball’s poetic in a way that I’m here in Texas, my family lives here. My parents are here in attendance,” Pillar said after his pinch-hit two-run single in the seventh inning of a 4-1 victory. “I told them I wasn’t in the starting lineup. They still wanted to be here for me to get an opportunity, and to come up in that situation with them here, it means the world to me.” The 35-year-old Pillar has only been with the young Los Angeles team for about three weeks. It is the ninth big league team over 12 seasons for the outfielder, who signed on April 30, the same day the Angels put three-time AL MVP Mike Trout on the injured list because of a torn meniscus in his left knee that required surgery. |
Hawaii officials outline efforts to prevent another devastating wildfire ahead of a dry seasonSantana hits tiebreaking HR as Twins beat Blue Jays for 16th win in 18 gamesAlleged Rushdie attacker, awaiting trial in New York, could still face federal charges, lawyer saysElon Musk reveals bizarre way he gets to sleep at nightBednarek sets the fastest 200m time this year at Doha Diamond LeagueNursery worker accused of killing nineHailey Bieber and husband Justin's pregnancy reveal sends AVirginia budget leaders reach compromise with governor on state spending planDeath toll in bombings at displacement camps in eastern Congo rises to at least 35Death toll in bombings at displacement camps in eastern Congo rises to at least 35