Brandon Woodruff returned from extended rest with a strong outing, while Blake Perkins matched a career high with five RBI and Sal Frelick added a three-run homer as the Milwaukee Brewers rolled past the Los Angeles Angels 9-2 on Wednesday night.
Woodruff (7-2), making his first start in 10 days as the Brewers carefully manage his innings after last year’s shoulder surgery, struck out nine over five innings. He allowed two hits and one run, throwing 52 of his 69 pitches for strikes.
The game shifted quickly after Angels starter José Soriano (10-11) left in the second inning when a line drive from Jake Bauers struck his right forearm. X-rays came back negative, but Soriano exited with a contusion.
Reliever Connor Brogdon immediately allowed a two-run single to Perkins, and Frelick followed later in the inning with a three-run homer, putting Milwaukee up 5-0. Perkins later added a bases-clearing hit to cap his five-RBI night.
Taylor Ward supplied the Angels’ offense with solo homers in the fourth and sixth innings, but it wasn’t enough to stop their skid. Los Angeles (69-83) has now lost six straight, while Milwaukee (93-59), the best team in baseball, has taken four of its last five.
Key Moment:
Perkins delivered Milwaukee’s first blow after Soriano’s injury, punching a two-run single between third and short on a 2-2 pitch from Brogdon to open the scoring.
Key Stat:
Mike Trout, stuck on 399 career homers, went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. He has just two home runs since Aug. 6, with his last coming on Sept. 11.
Up Next:
The series wraps Thursday with Angels left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (6-11, 4.08 ERA) opposing Brewers right-hander Quinn Priester (13-2, 3.25 ERA).
