Article Summary
Taylor Ward and Nolan Schanuel hit home runs as the Los Angeles Angels won their fourth consecutive game, beating the Oakland Athletics 4-3. Kenley Jansen struck out the final batter to earn the save. The Angels have won seven of their last eight games, while the Athletics have lost six games in a row.
What This Means for You
- The Angels are heating up and could be a team to watch in the American League.
- Jansen’s performance in the ninth inning showed that he can still be a reliable closer for the Angels.
- The Athletics’ struggles continue, and they will need to turn things around quickly to have any chance of making the playoffs.
- Schanuel and Ward’s home runs demonstrate the offensive firepower that the Angels possess, which could make them a tough team to beat in the coming weeks and months.
- Both teams will need to continue to perform well in the coming weeks to solidify their positions in the playoff race.
Original Post
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer, Nolan Schanuel also went deep and the Los Angeles Angels beat the skidding Athletics 4-3 on Monday night in the opener of a four-game series.
Kenley Jansen struck out Tyler Soderstrom for the final out with a runner on second. Coming off a surprising three-game sweep at Dodger Stadium, the Angels have won four in a row to start a seven-game trip.
The Athletics have lost six straight and 10 of 12, falling to 8-14 at Sutter Health Park.
Schanuel, who had three hits and scored twice, connected off J.T. Ginn for his third homer this season to give the Angels the lead two batters into the game. Ginn was activated to make his fourth start of the year and first since April 24, when elbow inflammation landed him on the 10-day injured list.
Lawrence Butler’s double, a walk and a hit batter loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the first against Angels starter José Soriano. Butler scored when Brent Rooker grounded into a double play, and Shea Langeliers’ infield single made it 2-1.
Zach Neto singled and Schanuel doubled to start the third. Yoán Moncada had an RBI groundout before Ward hit his 13th homer for a 4-2 lead.
Soderstrom doubled with two outs in the fifth and scored on Rooker’s single to make it 4-3.
Soriano (3-4) went six innings, allowing three runs on six hits and four walks. Jansen allowed a two-out single to Jacob Wilson in the ninth before pinch-runner Max Schuemann stole second. Jansen fanned Soderstrom on three pitches for his ninth save in nine opportunities.
Ginn (1-2) left after four innings and 79 pitches, yielding four runs and six hits with seven strikeouts.
Key Terms
- Los Angeles Angels
- Oakland Athletics
- Taylor Ward
- Nolan Schanuel
- Kenley Jansen
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