{"id":678348,"date":"2026-04-18T12:21:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T12:21:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/678348\/"},"modified":"2026-04-18T12:21:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T12:21:17","slug":"angels-jose-soriano-achieves-an-mlb-first-as-his-era-drops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/678348\/","title":{"rendered":"Angels Jose Soriano achieves an MLB first as his ERA drops"},"content":{"rendered":"

Los Angeles Angels<\/a> right-hander Jose Soriano continues to make a case to make his first career All-Star team in 2026. Soriano threw 5.2 innings of shutout baseball in the Angels’ 8-0 victory over the San Diego Padres<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Soriano\u2019s performance on Friday put him into a category all to his own as opposing teams have been unable to score off him.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Angels’ Jose Soriano joins rare company with his low ERA\u00a0<\/p>\n

Through five starts, Soriano is 5-0 with a 0.28 ERA and has 39 strikeouts in 32.2 innings. According to MLB\u2019s Sarah Langs, the 27-year-old is the first pitcher with a sub-0.50 ERA (0.28 ERA) and 15 or fewer hits (11) through his first five appearances in a season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jose Soriano this season:<\/p>\n

0.28 ERA
11 hits allowed<\/p>\n

He\u2019s the first pitcher with a sub-0.50 ERA and 15 or fewer hits allowed in his first 5 appearances of a season since ER official in both leagues (1913), min 30 IP<\/p>\n

\u2014 Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Langs notes that the lowest ERA in the last 80 years (minimum of 30.0 innings) is Soriano and Los Angeles Dodgers<\/a> legend left-hander Fernando Valenzuela, who did it twice (1981: 0.20 and 1985: 0.21). Soriano\u2019s dominance on the mound is paired with a resurging Mike Trout at the plate. The three-time MVP is hitting .237 with seven home runs, five of which came in his last five games.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lowest ERA in first 5 appearances of a season in last 80 years, min 30 IP:<\/p>\n

1981 Fernando Valenzuela: 0.20
1985 Fernando Valenzuela: 0.21
2026 Jose Soriano: 0.28<\/p>\n

shoutout @bmags94<\/a> for sending the link as I was running the search, too! \ud83e\udd1d<\/p>\n

\u2014 Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

More News:\u00a0Nationals acquire pitching depth from the Mets in trade<\/a><\/p>\n

With both trending upward and the Angels second in the American League West behind the Texas Rangers<\/a> (0.5 game back), the Angels have a fighting chance to make the playoffs this season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

More News:\u00a0<\/p>\n