Consistent Pitching and Timely Hitting Provide Angels First Win Against Reds Since 2019
Yusei Kikuchi delivered one of his strongest outings of the season, and Luis Rengifo stepped up in the clutch, helping the Los Angeles Angels snap a losing streak against the Cincinnati Reds in a 2-1 victory Wednesday night in Anaheim. The win ended a 10-game skid against the Reds dating back to June 26, 2019, and gave Los Angeles a much-needed boost after dropping back-to-back series. Wednesday’s win also allowed the Angels to avoid being swept, taking the finale after dropping the first two games of the series. The Halos now improve to 61-66 on the season and maintain pace in a crowded American League Wild Card race.
Kikuchi set the tone for the game, working efficiently through the Red’s lineup. The lefty tossed seven innings on 88 pitches of one-run ball, allowing seven hits and four strikeouts. Kikuchi’s only struggle of the game came in the third inning, when a Ke’Bryan Hayes double set up the first run of the game that came off the bat of Noelvi Marte, giving the Reds only one run of the game. Other than that, Kikuchi managed to keep the Reds from making solid contact by mixing his fastball with his changeup and curveball for soft contact and bringing in the slider for batters to chase. His outing gave some relief for the already taxed bullpen, needing only a couple of arms to finish the game.
The Angels' offense came only in two innings of the whole game. It began with a solo shot to center for Yoan Moncada’s ninth homer of the season that tied the game in the fourth. The game would remain deadlocked between both teams as pitching stayed dominant until the eighth inning, when a Bryce Teodosio double set the Angels up with a chance to go ahead. After making it to third after a wild pitch, Teodosio scored the go-ahead run on Rengifo's single, floating over the head of Hayes, a hit that made the difference in the game.
With Kenley Jansen recently revealing that he has been dealing with rib discomfort, the closing role was given to Luis Garcia to shut down the Reds and salvage the series with a win. He handled the assignment, retiring the Reds to record his fourth save of the season. Garica gave the Halos exactly what they needed, helping the team avoid another late collapse and secure its first win over Cincinnati in six years. Mike Trout continued his role as the anchor of the team in the designated hitter spot as he chipped in with a two-for-four performance in the finale. However, the Angels lost Zach Neto with a wrist injury after getting hit by a pitch. Postgame, manager Ray Montgomery announced that Neto was fine and that the X-rays on the injury were negative. The Angels will have a day off to regroup and prepare as the Chicago Cubs visit Anaheim to take on the Angels in a three-game series.
