The Angels Show Resilience Against Their Division Rival
The Los Angeles Angels and the Seattle Mariners engaged in a thrilling battle at Angel Stadium in the first series of a 13-game homestand. Both teams secured two wins, setting the stage for an exciting final four days before the trade deadline and the push to the October playoffs. The series was filled with big moments. This included a milestone for Mike Trout, but also highlighted some pitching challenges and missed opportunities at the plate, leaving a total of 27 Angels baserunners on base.
Game One - Mariners Win 4-2
Yusei Kikuchi was on the mound for the Angels to open up the series against the Mariners, looking to get his first win since July 12th. Kikuchi kept the Mariner bats quiet until the fifth inning when with one more out to end the top of the fifth, Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez hits one out to the fans in right, followed almost immediately by his teammate Randy Arozarena who followed him up with a two-run line drive that just got over the left field wall to put the Mariners on top. The Angels tried to get back in the game with a Zach Neto single to bring in a run in the seventh, but that’s all the Halos could get. A Jorge Polanco solo shot would be the dagger that left the M’s with the series-opening win.
Game Two - Angels Tie Series with 3-2 Victory
Zach Neto made sure his bobblehead night ended on the perfect note. With two outs and the winning run on second in the bottom of the 10th, Neto chopped a single just past the infield dirt, scoring LaMonte Wade Jr. and giving the Angels a 3-2 walk-off win to even the series. It was a fitting finish for the second-year shortstop, who came through in the most significant moment of the night. Jo Adell gave the Angels an early lead with a two-run double in the third inning, but Julio Rodríguez kept the Mariners in the game with solo home runs in the first and again in the sixth, his second tying the game and forcing extras. Jose Soriano held Seattle to two runs over six strong innings, while the bullpen combined for four shutout frames, capped off by Kenley Jansen keeping the Mariners off the board in the top of the 10th.
Game Three - Mariners Grab 7-2 Win
It was all Seattle on Saturday as George Kirby dominated for the Mariners, striking out nine in six innings of work. Kirby gave up two runs in the outing, one by the bat of the Angels outfielder, Taylor Ward, and another in the fifth inning from a sac-fly by Zach Neto. Other than that, the Seattle lineup slugged three homers, including Cal Raleigh’s 40th of the season. A one-run single from Ben Williamson put the Mariners up 7-2 in the eighth inning, effectively sealing the win for the M’s.
Game Four - Angels Tie Series Again with 4-2 Win
It was Mike Trout’s day as the Angels capped off the series with a 4-1 victory over the Mariners. The Angels were able to respond Sunday, as Kyle Hendricks was on the mound, putting up a six-inning outing, giving up the only two hits, and the single run that the Mariners would score. In the fifth inning, the Angels would see two runs cross before Mike Trout stepped up to the plate. Trout, in search of his 400th career home run, found himself reaching another milestone by earning his 1,000th and 1,001st career RBIs in Sunday's win over the Mariners.
This series could have answered the questions the Angels had about the upcoming trade deadline. Yet, instead, it put them back in the position they were after getting swept in New York. For the Angels, the problems they want to address are evident, and a trade may be the move to give them a chance to make a push for the final postseason spot. If not, at least the series showed that the Angels have players capable of making it to the postseason, if they can put it all together.
