ANAHEIM, Calif. — In a season that has been a redemption year for Jo Adell, showing why he belongs in the big leagues, Tuesday night was just that.
Adell had a two home run performance for the fourth time this season by hitting the long ball in the seventh and eighth inning in a 6-4 loss to the Cincinnatti Reds.
“Got a couple pitches to do damage with and that’s something I’m looking to do when I get something that I can handle,” Adell said. “I tried to fight to get us back in it.”
It was the first time he had homered twice in a game since June 7, against the Seattle Mariners.
His first homer came when the Angels were down 4-1; he cut their deficit in half by hitting swinging at a first pitch fastball and taking it 452 feet deep to center field for the longest homer of his career.
“Definitely didn’t miss it. Got all of it,” Adell said.
Up to that point in the night, the Angels’ offense was rather quiet for the most part as Kyle Hendricks gave up four runs in five innings of work. The Reds constantly hit the ball softly against Hendricks tonight and were collecting base hit after base hit against him. Elly De La Cruz in particular was a problem for him as he scored twice from first to home.
“He’s amazing out there,” Hendricks said of De La Cruz. “Real fast so that’s tough to deal with. But awesome fight tonight from the boys. Fighting back in that game. Putting some really good swings. Great game from Joey (Jo Adell).”
After Adell’s first homer, the Angels’ offense found a spark.
Travis’ d’Arnaud hit a double after Adell was done taking a round across the basepaths. Then Christian Moore singled after Yoan Moncada struck out, putting runners on the corners.
Luis Rengifo came in to pinch-hit for Bryce Teodosio for the second night in a row in the seventh, but struck out. Rengifo remained in the game at right field, and Adell moved over to center.
With the Angels looking to tie the game, reigning American League player of the week Zach Neto hit a single towards left field to cut the Angels’ deficit down by one. The inning came to an end when Nolan Schanuel hit a line drive 97 MPH near the first base line into Andujar’s glove.
Nico Alba – The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Angels infielder Zach Neto (9) celebrates the RBI during an MLB game against the Cincinnati Reds, Tuesday August 19th, 2025 in Anaheim, California.
The Angels got the Reds’ offense to go down 1-2-3 in the eighth to get another shot at tying the ball game.
Trout opened the inning with a leadoff walk to get things started, but Ward hit into a double play, killing the Angels’ chances of scoring.
With the Angels needing to get one more run in before the inning came to an end, Adell came up to the plate.
Like he did in the seventh, he replicated in the eighth by being on the winning side of a six-pitch at bat and taking Reds pitcher Luis Mey 371 feet deep towards left field for his second homer of the night.
Nico Alba – The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell (7) celebrates his first home run of the game during an MLB game against the Cincinnati Reds, Tuesday August 19th, 2025 in Anaheim, California.
Tying the game at four, Adell showed his fair share of emotions going across the basepaths.
“We were back in it. We’re tied at that point. We got a chance,” Adell said. “It’s anybody’s game. Pretty excited about that.”
Nico Alba – The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Angels pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) throws a pitch during an MLB game against the Cincinnati Reds, Tuesday August 19th, 2025 in Anaheim, California.
After Adell tied the game, closing pitcher Kenley Jansen came in to pitch the ninth inning and keep the game tied. Unfortunately, the plan didn’t go as expected.
Jansen came into the game on short night’s rest after pitching on Saturday and Monday night.
“We went out to check on him. Maybe some stiffness. Some soreness,” Angels interim manager Ray Montgomery said. “He said he was okay. Wanted to make sure he was fine.”
“He was obviously competing in the moment. He wanted to get through the inning. It was tough hitting.”
Jansen denied feeling any soreness after the game but did say he was dealing with something.
“We all deal with something,” Jansen said. “Just gotta battle through it and I’ll be fine.”
While he would not say what he was dealing with, he did add that it was affecting his pitches “Big time” tonight.
“Some days you’re not gonna feel good,” Jansen said. “Unfortunately today was on me. Can take this loss. Take this as a champ and we move forward.”
Jansen got Noelvi Marte to strike out in the first at bat. But then he loaded the bases after giving up a single, a hit by pitch, and a walk. After he loaded the bases, Montgomery and the medical staff came out on the field to take a look at him. Jansen remained in the game.
The Reds continued to cause damage against him by hitting a sacrifice fly to score Jose Trevino. In the next at bat, Gavin Lux doubled to score Ke’Bryan Hayes. Will Benson ran towards home but was called out to end the inning.
The Angels went down in order in the bottom half to end the night.
Post Game Notes
Before today’s game, Robert Stephenson was placed at Low-A Inland Empire 66ers to continue his rehab assignment. Angels Montgomery said that Stephenson would be on a pitch count of 25 pitches and would only appear in one inning.
Mike Trout extended his on-base streak to 20 games by hitting a double to left field in the first inning tonight.