On Friday night, the Los Angeles Angels defeated the Cleveland Guardians 6-0 thanks to three home runs from Mickey Moniak and six scoreless innings pitched by José Soriano, who earned his first career victory as a starter.
Soriano (1-4), who only made relief appearances the previous season, gave up just five hits. Just once was the right-hander under pressure, as he escaped a jam in the fifth inning by striking out Andrés Giménez with the bases loaded.
Soriano has defeated Cleveland twice in his career.
In LA’s joint six-hitter, Amir Garrett pitched one inning and José Suarez the last two.
The Angels won at Progressive Field for just the third time in their previous twenty-five games, led by a home run from Nolan Schanuel and three singles from Willie Calhoun.
The Angels led 5-0 after Moniak’s drive off Tanner Bibee (2-1) with two outs in the fourth inning.
In order to make it 2-0, Calhoun and Logan O’Hoppe hit consecutive doubles in the inning.
When Moniak blasted the first pitch over the wall in right center with two outs, Bibee walked Ehire Adrianza and the Guardians pitching coach Carl Willis paid him a visit on the mound. Willis had just returned to the dugout.
The Angels led by six runs in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Taylor Ward.
This season, Cleveland was shut out for the third time. Starting 19-9, the Guardians have lost four of their last five games.
In the first inning, Schanuel battled Bibee for 11 pitches before grounding out. Schanuel has hit safely in 12 of the last 13 games.
In the third inning, he lost patience and pounced on the right-hander’s first pitch to drive in his third. In 27 out of 32 games, the Angels have at least one home run.
OUTSIDE SURGERY
The Angels are optimistic that superstar Mike Trout, who underwent successful surgery on his left knee, will return to the field at some point this season.
After Trout underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus, manager Ron Washington quipped that he encouraged the three-time MVP to “enjoy his rehab.”
Trout has lost a large amount of time due to injury in each of the last four seasons, so Washington is eager to get him back. With an MLB-high 10 home runs, 14 RBIs, and six steals in 29 games, Trout was off to a fantastic start.
ROOM FOR TRAINER
Angels: Washington is hoping that when he becomes eligible, INF Miguel Sanó (knee irritation) would be able to come off the injured list. His surgically repaired knee was giving him pain, and the team decided that the best course of action was to put him on the IL and wait for it to “quiet down,” according to Washington. After being sidelined by a strained neck, INF Brandon Drury is anticipated to return on Saturday.
Defenders: RHP Gavin Williams (elbow) has not experienced any problems since starting his throwing regimen again this week. The 24-year-old’s development has pleased the staff, and the cortisone shot he received last week had the desired impact.