PHILADELPHIA, PA – A 4 RBI performance by outfielder Taylor Ward set the tone for the Los Angeles Angels in an 8-2 win to take the series over the Philadelphia Phillies Sunday, July 20 at Citizen’s Bank Park. 

The Angels were looking to bounce back after being shut down by the Phillies the night before and they did just that in the second inning. Four straight singles in the inning loaded the bases and drove in a run to put the Angels on the board 1-0. 

A walk by Mike Trout scored another run and brought up Taylor Ward, the Angels leading power hitter in 2025, and he continued his form. Ward cleared the bases with a double to break the game wide open and put the Angels ahead 5-0 in the second inning, all they would need for the rest of the game, though they did tack on some more runs later. 

Ward has approached his peak in 2025, leading the Angels in doubles, home runs and RBIs while also being top three in both hits and runs scored. The Angels outfielder has been a run scoring machine and also holds the seventh-most RBIs in all of baseball, just one behind the next spot on the list, Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber. 

Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels slides into third base during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 19, 2025, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Robert Sloter – The Sporting Tribune

Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels slides into third base during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 19, 2025, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The healthy lead induced by the second inning rally was more than enough cushion for Angels starting pitcher José Soriano, who continued his hot-and-cold season with another stellar outing, going seven innings while allowing two earned runs and striking out five. Soriano was throwing heat for the Halos, topping out just below 100 MPH and throwing the five fastest pitches of the day, according to Baseball Savant.

While Soriano and the bullpen kept the Phillies away, the Angels continued to tack on insurance, including another double by Ward to drive in shortstop Zach Neto to improve the Angels to an 8-2 lead while Ward tallied his fourth RBI of the game.

Ward has been the spark plug to the Angels in 2025, and as the trade deadline approaches Ward occupies the difficult position of being the team’s most attractive trade candidate should they decide to be sellers, while also being the glue for the team should they try to push for success in the second half of the season.

Only time will tell. For now, the Angels look ahead to the next phase of their road trip, a three-game stint against the New York Mets beginning with a game Monday, July 21 at 4:10 pm PDT.Â