The Los Angeles Angels continued their recent surge Thursday afternoon, defeating the Detroit Tigers 7-1 behind a strong start from Grayson Rodriguez and timely hitting throughout the lineup.
Rodriguez delivered five effective innings, while Vaughn Grissom and Mike Trout helped fuel a balanced offensive effort as the Angels earned their fifth win in six games. The result secured another series victory for Los Angeles, which has now won consecutive series for the first time this season.
The Angels entered Detroit after sweeping the Texas Rangers at home and carried that momentum into a difficult road matchup. By winning two of three games against the Tigers, Los Angeles showed signs of consistency that had been missing for much of the season.
Detroit, meanwhile, continued its recent struggles. The Tigers have fallen into a prolonged slump, losing seven straight series and dropping 18 of their last 22 games.
Rodriguez Provides Stability
The Angels received exactly what they needed from Rodriguez.
The right-hander controlled the game for five innings and limited Detroit to one run on two hits. He walked two batters and struck out five while earning his second win of the season.
Rodriguez looked comfortable from the outset despite Detroit scoring first. He mixed his pitches effectively, avoided major trouble and consistently worked ahead in counts.
His outing provided another encouraging step forward as he continues to settle into the Angels rotation after returning from a lengthy absence earlier in the season.
The Tigers managed little offense against him beyond a solo home run from Wenceel Pérez.
Tigers Strike First
Detroit grabbed an early lead in the second inning.
Pérez connected on a solo home run that gave the Tigers a 1-0 advantage and briefly energized the home crowd. At the time, it appeared Detroit might build momentum behind starter Jack Flaherty.
Flaherty turned in a competitive outing despite taking another loss. The veteran right-hander allowed three runs on six hits across 5 2/3 innings while striking out nine batters.
His performance kept Detroit within striking distance for much of the afternoon.
The game remained close until the Angels finally broke through in the fifth inning.
Angels Take Control In Fifth
Los Angeles turned a one-run deficit into a lead with a productive fifth inning.
Jo Adell started the rally with a leadoff double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Sebastian Rivero followed with an RBI single that tied the game at 1-1.
The Angels continued to pressure Flaherty. Donovan Walton added a single before Zach Neto delivered a run-scoring double that put Los Angeles ahead.
Detroit elected to intentionally walk Mike Trout, loading the bases and setting up a potential force play. Instead, Vaughn Grissom lifted a sacrifice fly to center field that extended the lead to 3-1.
The inning showcased the disciplined approach that has fueled the Angels’ recent success. Rather than relying solely on home runs, they consistently put runners on base and capitalized on scoring opportunities.
That three-run inning proved enough support for Rodriguez and the bullpen.
Grissom Continues Productive Series
Grissom remained one of the Angels’ most effective hitters throughout the series.
After driving in a run with his sacrifice fly in the fifth, he added an RBI double in the eighth inning. Grissom later scored on Jorge Soler’s run-scoring single as Los Angeles increased its lead to 5-1.
His contributions capped a highly productive series in Detroit. Grissom consistently delivered key at-bats and provided middle-of-the-order production when the Angels needed it most.
The recent offensive surge has given the Angels a deeper lineup and reduced the pressure on Trout to carry the offense by himself.
Bullpen Escapes Key Threat
Detroit’s best opportunity to get back into the game came in the eighth inning.
The Tigers loaded the bases with two outs and had a chance to cut into the deficit significantly. The Angels turned to reliever Sam Bachman in a crucial moment.
Bachman responded by striking out Riley Greene to end the threat and preserve the four-run lead.
The strikeout effectively ended Detroit’s comeback hopes and allowed Los Angeles to enter the ninth inning with momentum firmly on its side.
The Angels bullpen combined with Rodriguez to keep the Tigers from generating sustained offense throughout the afternoon.
Trout Adds Late Insurance
The Angels put the game away in the ninth inning.
With runners in scoring position, Trout lined a two-run double that stretched the lead to 7-1 and removed any remaining suspense.
The hit served as another reminder of Trout’s ability to impact games even when he is not hitting home runs. His presence in the lineup continues to force opponents into difficult decisions, including the intentional walk that helped set up the Angels’ fifth-inning rally.
The veteran outfielder once again played a central role in a winning effort.
Angels Building Momentum
For Los Angeles, the victory represented more than just another win.
The Angels completed back-to-back series victories for the first time this season and continued a stretch of improved baseball. The pitching staff has stabilized, the offense has become more balanced and younger players have contributed alongside established veterans.
Winning on the road against a playoff contender provided another encouraging sign for a club trying to climb back into contention.
Detroit, on the other hand, continues searching for answers during a difficult stretch. The Tigers have struggled to generate consistent offense and have been unable to reverse a slide that has lasted most of May.
Up Next
The Angels travel to Tampa Bay to open a three-game series against the Rays. Right-hander Walbert Ureña is scheduled to start the opener for Los Angeles against Rays ace Nick Martinez.
Detroit heads to Chicago for a three-game series against the White Sox, with right-hander Troy Melton expected to take the mound in Friday’s opener.