Logan O'Hoppe's 3-run homer propels Angels past Tigers 5-2 for 5th straight win

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Logan O'Hoppe hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Detroit Tigers 5-2 Friday night for their season-high fifth straight win.

O'Hoppe's heroics helped support a great night from the Angels' bullpen, which allowed only one hit in 6 1/3 innings and retired the last 16 batters they faced.

“Tonight was about the pitching, defense and timely hitting. That's always a good formula to have and we certainly put it together tonight,” manager Ron Washington said.

American League batting leader Luis Rengifo had two hits, including a two-run homer in the second inning, to raise his average to .315.

Detroit pitcher Kenta Maeda left after taking a liner off his glove hand and stomach during the sixth inning.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said he took Maeda out because he was at 87 pitches and Kevin Pillar was the next batter.

Maeda allowed two runs and six hits and struck out four in 5 1/3 innings.

Detroit managed only two hits — a pair of singles — after being held to four Thursday night.

“We get in these stretches, and you have to find a solution rather than letting it drag you down,” Hinch said. “We’re not finding hits. There’s a little bit of everything that creates a poor week or a poor stretch.”

Angels starter Zach Plesac’s night ended after 2 2/3 innings and four straight walks. Luis García (3-0) got the win and Carlos Estévez finished for his 16th save.

“I couldn't get a grip on the ball. It just kept sliding out,” Plesac said. “I felt good. I was making some good pitches. I just lot my grip after that two-out span.”

Rengifo and Taylor Ward got aboard with one out singles to left in the eighth inning off Shelby Miller (4-6). After Kevin Pillar struck out, O'Hoppe hit a first-pitch splitter 418 feet over the wall in left field for his 11th home run of the season.

“Before that at-bat, I picture moments like that. I really tried to feel that moment as much as I could. Blanked out and took a swing,” O'Hoppe said.

The Angels got on the scoreboard quickly. After Nolan Schanuel led off with a base hit to center, Rengifo drove a fastball from Maeda over the center-field wall. It was the second straight game the third baseman hit a two-run homer.

Plesac retired the first eight Detroit hitters before things went awry. Ryan Kreidler got aboard with a single to center before Plesac walked four straight Tigers, including Matt Vierling and Canha with the bases loaded, to end his night.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Angels: 3B Anthony Rendon (left hamstring strain) could face live pitching this weekend with a possible return the week before the All-Star break.

UP NEXT

In a matchup of right handers, Detroit's Reese Olson (2-8, 3.35 ERA) faces Los Angeles' Griffin Canning (3-8, 4.72 ERA).

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Los Angeles Angels left fielder Kevin Pillar, center fielder Mickey Moniak, and right fielder Jo Adell celebrate the team's win in a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto, left, and right fielder Jo Adell celebrate the team's win in a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto throws out Detroit Tigers' Matt Vierling at first during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 28, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Carlos Estevez celebrates the final out the tema's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Detroit Tigers second baseman Andy Ibanez pauses during the sixth inning of the team's baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Zach Plesac throws during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Kenta Maeda throws to a Los Angeles Angels batter during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, June 28, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Zach Plesac sits in the dugout after being removed during the third inning of the team's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Detroit Tigers' Riley Greene attempts to reach first after grounding out to Los Angeles Angels second baseman Luis Guillorme who threw to first baseman Nolan Schanuel during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Kenta Maeda reacts after deflecting a line-drive single hit by Los Angeles Angels' Taylor Ward during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels left fielder Kevin Pillar, right, collides with shortstop Zach Neto while catching a fly ball hit by Detroit Tigers' Mark Canha during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels' Luis Rengifo gestures while running the bases on a two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, June 28, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels' Logan O'Hoppe (14) celebrates his go-ahead three-run home run with manager Ron Washington (37) during the eighth inning of the team's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Angels' Logan O'Hoppe celebrates his go-ahead, three-run home run during the eighth inning of the team's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

DEDHAM, Mass. (AP) — A judge declared a mistrial Monday after jurors deadlocked in the case of Karen Read, a woman accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend by striking him with her SUV and leaving him in a snowstorm.

Prosecutors said in a statement that they intend to retry the case, which drew outsize attention thanks to true crime fanatics, conspiracy theorists and Read’s pink-shirted supporters.

Read, a former adjunct professor at Bentley College, faced second-degree murder and other charges in the death of Officer John O’Keefe, a 16-year member of the Boston police who was found outside a Canton home of another Boston police officer in January 2022. An autopsy found O’Keefe died of hypothermia and blunt force trauma.

Prosecutors said Read and O’Keefe had been drinking heavily before she dropped him off at a party at the home of Brian Albert, a fellow officer. They said she hit him with her SUV before driving away.

The defense sought to portray Read as the victim, saying O’Keefe was actually had been killed inside Albert’s home and then dragged outside and left for dead. They argued that investigators focused on Read because she was a “convenient outsider” who saved them from having to consider other suspects, including Albert and other law enforcement officers at the party.

On Friday, a jury foreperson told the judge that they hadn’t reached a unanimous verdict despite an “exhaustive review of the evidence.” The judge told jurors to keep trying. On Monday morning, jurors said they were at an impasse, but the judge asked them to continue deliberating. In the afternoon, they said it would be futile to continue.

“The deep division is not due to a lack of effort or diligence but rather a sincere adherence to our individual principles or moral convictions," the jury said in a note read by the judge in court.

O’Keefe’s mother cried after the mistrial was declared, while Read hugged her father and other relatives.

The Norfolk County district attorney's office said in a statement: “First, we thank the O’Keefe family for their commitment and dedication to this long process. They maintained sight of the true core of this case — to find justice for John O’Keefe. The Commonwealth intends to re-try the case.”

Defense attorney Alan Jackson said he and others representing Read will keep fighting.

“They failed. They failed miserably, and they’ll continue to fail," he told reporters outside court. “No matter how long it takes, no matter how long they keep trying, we will not stop fighting.”

Testimony during the two-month trial focused on shoddy police work and relationships between the parties. Police acknowledged using red plastic cups to collect blood evidence and a leaf blower to try to clear away snow to reveal evidence. The lead investigator acknowledged making crude statements about Read in texts from his personal cellphone.

Experts disagreed on whether O’Keefe’s injuries were consistent with being hit by Read’s luxury SUV, which had a broken taillight. The defense contended the injuries were caused by an altercation and the Albert family’s aggressive dog.

While the drama played out in a courtroom, dozens of Read’s supporters dressed in pink gathered each day outside, carrying “Free Karen Read” signs and mobbing her when she arrived each day. Motorists honked their horns in support. A smaller group of people who wanted Read convicted also turned up.

Another lawyer representing Read, David Yannetti, said he was in awe of his client’s “strength and courage” and praised those who have backed her before and during the trial.

“Your support was invaluable," he said. “We are touched and we ask for your continued support.”

Rita Lombardi, one of those supporters, said she had mixed feelings about the outcome.

“It’s not the verdict we were hoping for, we were hoping for a not guilty verdict. That is what this jury should have returned with the evidence that was presented,” she said. “But we accept the hung jury, we accept the mistrial.”

Aidan Timothy Kearney also said he’d hoped for full vindication.

“But in my mind, the fact that so many people in that jury clearly are aware, the majority clearly is with Karen Reed,” he said outside the courthouse. “It’s a small minority that is just stubborn and won’t look at the facts and won’t be impartial and it’s just judging her based on not liking her.”

Prosecutors relied on several first responders who testified that Read admitted that she hit O’Keefe — saying “I hit him” — as well as evidence that Read was legally intoxicated or close to it eight hours later, after she returned to the house with friends and they found the body.

Several witnesses testified the couple had a stormy relationship that had begun to sour. Prosecutors presented angry texts between the couple hours before O’Keefe died. They also played voice messages from Read to O’Keefe that were left after she allegedly struck him, including one left minutes afterward saying, “John I (expletive) hate you.”

Defense attorneys sought to poke holes in the police investigation, noting that Albert’s house was never searched for signs of a fight involving O’Keefe and that the crime scene was not secured. They suggested that some evidence — like pieces of her SUV’s cracked taillight, a broken drinking glass and even a strand of hair — was planted by police.

A turning point in the trial came when lead investigator, State Trooper Michael Proctor, took the stand. He acknowledged sending offensive texts about Read to friends, family and fellow troopers during the investigation. He apologized for the language he used but insisted they had no influence on the investigation.

In his texts, he called Read several names, including “whack job.” At one point, he texted his sister that he wished Read would “kill herself,” which he told jurors was a figure of speech. And despite having relationships with several witnesses, he remained on the case.

Two expert witnesses hired by the U.S. Department of Justice during an investigation of police handling of the case testified for the defense, providing a scientific analysis for their conclusion that O’Keefe’s injuries and the physical evidence didn’t sync with the prosecution theory that he was struck and injured by Read’s 7,000-pound (3,175-kilogram) vehicle.

O’Keefe had a significant head injury and other injuries but lacked significant bruising or broken bones typically associated with being hit by a vehicle at the speed indicated by GPS and the SUV’s onboard computer.

Supporters of Karen Read celebrate near Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. A judge declared a mistrial Monday after jurors deadlocked in the case of Read, who was accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend by striking him with her SUV and leaving him in a snowstorm. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, right, smiles as defense attorney David Yannetti, left, speaks to reporters in front of Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. A judge declared a mistrial Monday after jurors deadlocked in the case of Read, who was accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend by striking him with her SUV and leaving him in a snowstorm. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, right, smiles as defense attorney David Yannetti, left, speaks to reporters in front of Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. A judge declared a mistrial Monday after jurors deadlocked in the case of Read, who was accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend by striking him with her SUV and leaving him in a snowstorm. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, right, smiles as defense attorney David Yannetti, front left, speaks to reporters in front of Norfolk Superior Court after the judge declared a mistrial after jurors were unable to reach a verdict following a two-month trial, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Before the jury enters, Judge Beverly J. Cannone, right, speaks to the defense and prosecution during the Karen Read trial at the Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. This is their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Read. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Pat GreenhouseThe Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday, June 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday, June 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Judge Beverly J. Cannone speaks in Norfolk Superior Court, on their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Karen Read in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Judge Beverly J. Cannone greets jurors in Norfolk Superior Court, on their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Karen Read in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Paul O'Keefe, center, brother of the late Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, enters Norfolk Superior Court with his wife Erin O'Keefe, front left, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday, June 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Jean Allan, of Weymouth, Mass., front, a supporter of Karen Read, displays a sign to passing cars near Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday, June 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

All stand as the jury files out to the courtroom, to start their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Karen Read in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Flags, flowers and remembrances flank the headstone of John O'Keefe, a Boston police officer, at Blue Hill Cemetery, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Braintree, Mass. A jury is deliberating the fate of O'Keefe's girlfriend, Karen Read, who is charged with second-degree murder in O'Keefe's death. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Karen Read talks with her legal team at the Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. This is their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Read. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

An empty flagpole is seen outside the residence where the body of John O'Keefe, a Boston police officer, was found on Jan. 29, 2022, outside the home, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Canton, Mass. The fate of Karen Read, who is charged with second-degree murder in the death is in the hands of a jury currently deliberating her case. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

This photo undated photo released by the Boston Police Department shows officer John O'Keefe. (Boston Police Department via AP)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday, June 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)