Jo Adell hit two solo home runs and José Soriano delivered one of his strongest starts of the season as the Los Angeles Angels defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 6-1 on Sunday afternoon at Rogers Centre.
The Angels avoided a three-game sweep and ended multiple losing streaks with the win. Los Angeles snapped an eight-game road skid and earned its first victory in Toronto in nearly a decade after dropping nine straight games there.
The performance gave the Angels a needed boost after a difficult stretch away from home. Strong pitching, timely power hitting and improved execution helped Los Angeles control the game after an early challenge in the first inning.
Soriano Regains Control After Early Trouble
José Soriano overcame a difficult opening inning and settled into complete control for most of the afternoon. The right-hander allowed one run early but then dominated Toronto’s lineup through the middle innings.
The Blue Jays loaded the bases in the first inning and scored on a double by Kazuma Okamoto. After that sequence, Soriano adjusted quickly and shut down Toronto’s offense.
He retired 20 consecutive batters after the first inning and limited hard contact throughout his outing. Soriano mixed his pitches effectively and consistently worked ahead in the count, allowing him to attack hitters aggressively.
The right-hander struck out seven batters across 7 2/3 innings and improved to 6-2 on the season. He also ended a three-start stretch without a win.
Toronto finally broke the streak of retired hitters in the eighth inning when Myles Straw reached on an infield single. Soriano later left the game after consecutive singles loaded the bases.
Reliever Sam Bachman entered and immediately limited the damage. He forced Vladimir Guerrero Jr. into a ground ball that resulted in a forceout, helping the Angels maintain full control.
Adell Powers Angels Offense
Jo Adell led the offense with two home runs and continued one of his strongest stretches at the plate this season.
His first homer came in the sixth inning and extended the Angels’ lead after Los Angeles had already taken control of the game. Adell added another solo shot in the ninth inning, giving the Angels additional insurance late.
Both home runs came against Blue Jays starter Eric Lauer, who struggled to contain the Angels’ lineup once Los Angeles began generating offense in the middle innings.
Adell’s recent production has become increasingly important for the Angels during a season filled with inconsistency. His power helped create separation Sunday and gave the lineup added confidence after several difficult road games.
Peraza And Grissom Add Support
Oswald Peraza delivered another important offensive moment during the fifth inning. His two-run home run gave the Angels a lead they would not surrender and shifted momentum permanently toward Los Angeles.
Vaughn Grissom also contributed with a two-run double later in the game. The hit added further pressure on Toronto’s pitching staff and helped extend the margin beyond reach.
The Angels’ lineup combined patience and aggressive swings during scoring opportunities. While the team managed only a limited number of hits overall, it maximized nearly every major chance against Lauer.
That efficiency marked a sharp improvement from previous road games during the losing streak.
Blue Jays Offense Disappears After First
Toronto started the game with immediate pressure but failed to sustain offense after the opening inning.
Kazuma Okamoto’s RBI double in the first inning gave the Blue Jays an early lead and appeared to position the lineup for a productive afternoon. Instead, Soriano quickly regained command and prevented Toronto from building momentum.
The Blue Jays managed only scattered contact after the first inning and struggled against Soriano’s fastball and secondary pitches. Several hitters chased pitches outside the zone as the game progressed.
Eric Lauer also continued his difficult stretch on the mound. The left-hander allowed six runs over five innings and remains without a win since late March.
Toronto’s defense also entered the game short-handed. Right fielder Addison Barger was scratched before the first pitch because of soreness in his right shoulder.
Barger had only recently returned to the lineup after missing significant time with an ankle injury.
Angels End Difficult Road Stretch
The victory carried extra importance for Los Angeles because of the team’s recent road struggles. The Angels entered the day having lost eight consecutive road games dating back to mid-April.
They also had not won in Toronto since before the current core of players arrived on the roster. Sunday’s result ended a nine-game losing streak at Rogers Centre.
The combination of strong starting pitching and improved offensive execution finally allowed the Angels to close out a road game without late trouble.
For a team searching for consistency, the performance provided a needed reminder of its potential when all phases work together.
Up Next
The Angels continue their road trip on Monday when they open a series in Cleveland. The Guardians are expected to start left-hander Joey Cantillo in the opener.
Toronto remains at home and begins a series against Tampa Bay. Kevin Gausman is scheduled to start for the Blue Jays against Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen.
The Angels leave Toronto with a much-needed win and signs of stability after several difficult weeks away from home.
