Jorge Soler broke the game open with a grand slam in the eighth inning as the Los Angeles Angels defeated the Cincinnati Reds 10-2 on Friday night at Great American Ball Park.
The Angels also received home runs from Zach Neto and Josh Lowe while right-hander Jack Kochanowicz delivered another strong outing on the mound. Los Angeles snapped a seven-game losing streak in Cincinnati and improved to .500 or better through 14 games for the sixth consecutive season.
The victory combined timely power hitting, strong starting pitching, and a late offensive explosion that overwhelmed the Reds after a competitive start through the middle innings.
Kochanowicz Controls The Reds
Jack Kochanowicz gave the Angels exactly the performance they needed.
The right-hander allowed only one run and two hits across seven innings while improving to 2-0 on the season. He consistently worked ahead in counts and limited Cincinnati’s opportunities throughout the night.
Kochanowicz attacked the strike zone early and generated weak contact with his fastball and off-speed mix. The Reds rarely threatened during his outing and struggled to build sustained pressure.
Cincinnati managed only one hit through the first four innings. Former Reds infielder Eugenio Suárez accounted for both of the team’s hits through six innings.
Kochanowicz maintained control even when traffic appeared on the bases. His efficiency allowed the Angels bullpen to enter the game with a comfortable lead late.
The performance continued a strong early stretch for the young starter, who has quickly become a reliable part of Los Angeles’ rotation.
Angels Strike Early
Los Angeles grabbed momentum during the third inning.
Soler lined a two-out double and later scored when Yoán Moncada reached on an infield single. The run gave the Angels a 2-0 lead and set the tone for the offense.
The Angels continued adding pressure in the middle innings.
Neto hit his fifth home run of the season to extend the lead to 4-0. The shortstop has remained one of the team’s most productive hitters early in the year and delivered another important extra-base hit.
Josh Lowe added another homer in the sixth inning. Entering the game, Lowe had struggled badly at the plate and carried a .091 batting average. His solo shot over the left-field wall provided both insurance and confidence for a player trying to regain rhythm offensively.
The Angels lineup consistently produced quality at-bats and forced Reds pitchers into difficult situations throughout the game.
Soler Delivers Decisive Blow
The game remained manageable for Cincinnati until the eighth inning.
Then Soler ended any remaining suspense.
The veteran slugger stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and launched a grand slam during a five-run inning that completely changed the scoreboard.
The home run highlighted a productive night for Soler, who also doubled earlier in the game and scored during the third inning rally.
The Angels entered the inning holding a comfortable lead but used the late offensive surge to remove all doubt.
Los Angeles combined patience and aggressive hitting during the inning, capitalizing on mistakes from the Reds bullpen.
Reds Struggle To Generate Offense
Cincinnati never found consistent offense against Angels pitching.
The Reds managed only scattered hits through most of the game and failed to capitalize on limited scoring opportunities. Elly De La Cruz eventually connected for a solo home run in the ninth inning, his fourth homer of the season, but the outcome was already decided.
Highly regarded rookie Sal Stewart entered the night leading all rookies in several offensive categories, including hits, extra-base hits, and total bases. The Angels kept him quiet, however, as he finished hitless in three at-bats.
The Reds struggled especially against Kochanowicz’s command and could not generate rallies through the middle innings.
Their bullpen also failed to contain the Angels late.
Burns Endures Difficult Outing
Reds starter Chase Burns battled through traffic most of the night.
The right-hander allowed five earned runs across 5 1/3 innings while giving up seven hits and four walks. He showed flashes of strong stuff but struggled with command and location during key moments.
Los Angeles hitters consistently worked deep counts and forced Burns into elevated pitch totals early in the game.
The Angels lineup punished mistakes over the plate and gradually built separation on the scoreboard before the eighth-inning explosion.
Burns competed through several difficult innings but could not slow Los Angeles’ momentum long enough for Cincinnati’s offense to respond.
Important Road Win For Angels
The victory carried extra significance for Los Angeles.
The Angels had not won in Cincinnati since April 2013, when the teams met during Major League Baseball’s first interleague Opening Day game.
Snapping the losing streak at Great American Ball Park provided momentum for a club looking to stabilize after several uneven performances earlier in the season.
The combination of solid starting pitching and improved offensive production offered encouragement for the future.
Los Angeles also showed greater balance throughout the lineup, with multiple hitters contributing in key moments rather than relying on a single offensive source.
Neto Continues Strong Start
Neto remained one of the Angels’ most important offensive contributors.
His home run helped extend the lead and continued an impressive opening stretch for the young infielder. Neto has consistently provided both power and energy near the top of the lineup.
The Angels have benefited greatly from his offensive development early this season, especially during stretches when other hitters have battled inconsistency.
His ability to impact games both offensively and defensively continues to give Los Angeles valuable stability.
Up Next
The series continues Saturday night in Cincinnati.
The Angels are expected to start rookie right-hander George Klassen, who recently made his major league debut. Cincinnati plans to counter with left-hander Brandon Williamson in the middle game of the three-game series.
