ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Los Angeles Angels opened their three-game series against the Oakland Athletics with a lackluster performance, falling 10-4 on Friday night at Angel Stadium. The game served as a reminder of the struggles both teams have endured this season, as they sit at the bottom of the American League West, each hoping to salvage some pride as the season winds down.
A Rough Start for Soriano
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jos Soriano (59) walks to the dugout after being relieved during the third inning against the Athletics at Angel Stadium.
Right-hander Jose Soriano took the mound for the Angels, but his outing was an early disaster. Soriano walked the first two batters he faced, quickly putting himself in a jam. After throwing eight balls in the first nine pitches to start the game, Soriano’s struggles continued as he walked a third batter in the inning. The Athletics capitalized on the shaky start, scoring two runs in the opening frame. A groundout double play by Tyler Soderstrom brought in the first run, and an RBI single from Jacob Wilson made it 2-0.
The statistics painted a grim picture: Soriano threw 28 pitches in the first inning, 18 of them balls. His inability to command the strike zone put the Angels at a disadvantage early, and the mound issues would continue to plague them throughout the game.
Angels Answer Back in the First
The Angels weren’t about to go quietly. They responded immediately in the bottom of the first inning, getting the first two batters on base after Athletics right-hander Mason Barnett hit Zach Neto and walked Mike Trout. Yoan Moncada added a single to load the bases, and Taylor Ward worked a walk to bring in the Angels’ first run. Jo Adell followed suit with a walk of his own, tying the game at 2-2.
Luis Rengifo then slapped a single to left field, giving the Angels a 3-2 lead. Oswald Peraza added a sacrifice fly to make it 4-2, but that would be all the Angels could muster in the frame, as Travis d’Arnaud grounded into a double play to end the inning.
It was a promising response from the Angels’ offense, but unfortunately, it would be the high point of their night.
A Nightmarish Third Inning for Soriano
Things fell apart quickly for Soriano in the third inning. After getting through the first two innings, Soriano once again struggled to find the strike zone, giving up an infield single to Lawrence Butler, which loaded the bases for the Athletics. The next batter, Zack Gelof, tied the game at 4-4 with an RBI single.
Soriano’s troubles escalated when he uncorked a wild pitch, allowing the Athletics to take a 5-4 lead. And just when things couldn’t get worse, JJ Bleday, on a full count, launched a three-run home run to left field. That was enough to end Soriano’s night, with the Angels trailing 8-4.
The right-hander’s final line: 2 ⅓ innings pitched, six hits, five walks, eight earned runs, and four strikeouts on 80 pitches. Soriano’s inability to limit walks and control his pitches left the Angels with a mountain to climb for the rest of the game.
The Angels turned to Ryan Zeferjahn in relief, but the damage continued. With the bases loaded, Zeferjahn hit Brent Rooker, forcing in another run to make it 9-4. The inning finally came to an end, but the Athletics had already put the game out of reach, scoring seven runs in the third alone.
“I know he’s had his troubles at home, I don’t know the reason for that tonight,” Angels Interim Ray Montgomery said. “It was a little better pitch mix and combinations tonight, just seemed like he was a little bit off, a lot off.”
Offense Stalls After the First
After their strong start in the first inning, the Angels’ offense went completely quiet. They had just one hit after the first frame, a single by Oswald Peraza in the fourth inning, as Barnett settled into a groove. The Athletics’ starter allowed just three hits over five innings, while the Angels’ lineup couldn’t generate any sustained offense.
Barnett finished the game with a solid line: five innings pitched, three hits, four runs, five walks, and eight strikeouts. He was efficient, throwing 102 pitches, and his command improved as the game wore on, much to the detriment of the Angels’ hitters.
In the top of the ninth inning, Lawrence Butler crushed a solo home run off Angels left-hander Andrew Chafin, giving the Athletics a 10-4 lead. The Angels could do nothing more to respond, and the game ended with the Athletics securing a comfortable win.
The final line for the game: the Athletics scored 10 runs on 10 hits with no errors, while the Angels were limited to four runs on just three hits with one error. The Angels did not register a hit after the fourth inning, a dismal statistic that highlights their struggles on both offense and defense.
With the loss, the Angels fell further into the depths of a lost season. Despite a promising first inning, their pitching faltered, and their offense couldn’t capitalize on early opportunities. They’ll need to regroup quickly if they hope to bounce back in Saturday’s matchup. Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (6-10, 3.83 ERA) will take the mound for the Angels, while the Athletics will counter with right-hander J.T. Ginn (2-6, 5.17 ERA).