José Soriano delivered a dominant performance on the mound. At the same time, Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel provided the power at the plate as the Los Angeles Angels defeated the struggling Atlanta Braves 5-1 on Thursday night.
Soriano (6-5) was in full control, giving up just three hits over seven shutout innings with seven strikeouts. The right-hander didn’t allow a single baserunner to reach second base, effectively stifling a Braves lineup that has lacked offensive spark.
Zach Neto had a standout game, tallying three hits, including a solo home run, and scoring three times. Schanuel added a two-run homer in the second inning, driving in Neto following a leadoff double.
Braves starter Bryce Elder (2-6) continued his recent struggles, surrendering four runs on eight hits and three walks over five innings. Elder has now dropped three straight starts and has been unable to rebound since a disastrous outing against Philadelphia, where he allowed 10 runs in just two innings.
The depleted Braves rotation suffered another setback this week with Spencer Schwellenbach landing on the injured list due to a fractured elbow. With multiple starters already out — including Chris Sale, AJ Smith-Shawver, and Reynaldo López — manager Brian Snitker is considering a bullpen game in the upcoming series against Baltimore.
Atlanta avoided being blanked thanks to Jurickson Profar’s solo home run in the ninth off Brock Burke. It was Profar’s second homer in as many games since returning from an 80-game suspension for PED use.
Key Moment
Schanuel’s two-run shot in the second inning set the tone early for the Angels, following Neto’s double. It was Elder’s fourth homer allowed in his last two starts.
Key Stats
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Matt Olson extended his on-base streak to 33 games with a first-inning single, the longest active streak in the majors.
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Jo Adell extended his hitting streak to 14 games, the longest by any Angels player this season.
Up Next
The Angels begin a road series in Toronto on Friday night with Kyle Hendricks (5-6, 4.66 ERA) facing Blue Jays lefty Eric Lauer (4-1, 2.60 ERA).
The Braves host the Orioles, sending Spencer Strider (3-6, 3.86 ERA) to the mound against ex-Brave Charlie Morton (4-7, 5.63 ERA).