The Los Angeles Angels were 1-4 to begin their nine-game road trip, but were hopeful to salvage things in a set with the Baltimore Orioles. Not only would a good series give them some momentum heading back home, it would also give them a desperately needed boost in the standings.
Instead, the Orioles had control from start to finish, as the Angels struggled with offensive futility, blown leads, and messy pitching. The result was a four-game sweep that has buried the Angels deep into the American League standings.
This once-promising season has now turned nightmarish. They hold the fourth-worst record in the AL and are closer to dead last — the Oakland Athletics — than they are to the top Wild Card team, the Boston Red Sox.
Game 1: Angels lose 4-1
Losing Pitcher: Chase Silseth
Angels fans saw what may have been one of Silseth’s last MLB opportunities in 2022 in the series opener. Angels manager Phil Nevin said that Silseth would get one more opportunity to start, and it led to him allowing four runs in 4.0 innings, striking out only two batters in the process.
He was optioned to Double-A Rocket City before the weekend closesd, with Reid Detmers likely taking his place moving forward.
The Angels put together six hits off of the Orioles, including starter Jordan Lyles. However, they went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position, managing just one run via a Kurt Suzuki sacrifice fly with the game already decided.
Game 2: Angels lose 5-4
Losing Pitcher: Raisel Iglesias
If the Angels were going to win a game in this series, it would have — and should have — been Game 2. Mike Trout got the scoring started with a three-run homer in the third inning. A quality start from Detmers left the Orioles scoreless through six frames.
But when the bullpen came in, the Orioles went to work. They scored one run in the seventh off of Jose Quijada and another in the eighth off of Ryan Tepera. Shohei Ohtani was able to extend the Angels lead to 4-2 in the top of the ninth inning.
That’s when closer Raisel Iglesias took over, needing just three outs for a victory. He quickly secured two outs before the onslaught began. He allowed a single to Rougned Odor, who then reached third on a steal and a fielder’s indifference.
A double by Adley Rutschman would score him and make it 4-3. Then, Cedric Mullins singled and reached second while Rutschman scored to tie the game. And finally, Trey Mancini ended the ballgame with a walk-off single.
Game 3: Angels lose 1-0
Losing Pitcher: Patrick Sandoval
Patrick Sandoval was remarkable in this Game 3 outing, recording 10 strikeouts and only one earned run in 6.1 innings of work. Aaron Loup and Andrew Wantz held the Orioles hitless the rest of the way, and yet it still was enough to get past the Halos.
The Angels had five hits all game, two for Luis Rengifo, and went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Suzuki batted four times with runners on base and recorded four outs, including the final out of the ballgame.
Game 4: Angels lose 9-5
Losing Pitcher: Jose Suarez
The 9-5 margin of defeat for the Angels actually makes this outcome look closer than it was. After taking a 2-0 lead in the third inning via a Monte Harrison home run, it was all Orioles.
They started by chasing Jose Suarez from the game with four runs in the fourth inning. Then, they continued the rampage on Elvis Peguero, tacking on another four runs in the fifth. A shorter rally in the sixth inning made it 9-2, with the Angels barely having time to breathe between innings.
Harrison secured his third RBI of the game in the later innings, and a Max Stassi homer brought the score to within one grand slam.
Look Ahead
The Angels get one day off before a three-gamer against the Houston Astros. The Astros swept the Angels in Houston at the beginning of the road trip, and now see them again at the top of a home stand. It has not been finalized, but the Angels look to have Noah Syndergaard, Ohtani, and Detmers as their three starters.
The Astros will be without Yordan Alvarez.