Anaheim – With each win leading up to the August 1st trading deadline, the Angels are less likely to become sellers. In turn, keeping superstar Shuhei Ohtani on their roster for the rest of the season becomes more and more difficult.
After opening the second half with a two-of-three loss to the Astros, it was starting to feel like things might get away from the Angels. But they turned things around dramatically with a three-game sweep of the Yankees, punctuated by a 7-3 victory in the series finale on Wednesday at Angel Stadium.
It was the Angels’ first sweep of the Yankees since July 10-12, 2009. More importantly, it was their fourth win over their past five games, and they got back to . 500, at 49-48. They are 4 1/2 games behind the Astros and Blue Jays for the third and final AL Wild Card spot and only one game behind the Yankees.
“We wanted to start well after the break after we struggled before and I think 4-2 against two teams in front of us looks good,” Angels coach Phil Nevin said. “We’ve just been consistent and playing clean. We’ve done well, scored some goals at the right time. That’s what helps us win games now.”
Left fielder Taylor Ward, who went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and three RBI runs to speed up the offense, said the Angels are playing with urgency now because of their place in the standings as the trade deadline approaches.
After a day off Thursday, the Angels’ second series comes against clubs with a losing record, which could help them build up more ground. They host the Pirates for a three-game set before heading to Detroit for a three-game series.
“Hopefully we have a good vacation and keep feeling,” Ward said. “It’s really exciting. There are still a lot of games to play. But I think it really helps us move forward with where we are and what we can do in the trade deadline.”
Right fielder Chase Silseth of Triple-A Salt Lake was called up before the game and recorded one of the best runs of his career, giving the Angels three straight solid starts against New York. Silseth hit a career high with 10 strikeouts over 5.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px;white-space:nowrap} ⁄ innings, after fine outings from Griffin Canning and Patrick Sandoval.
The trio combined to allow four runs over 18 2/3 innings pitched with 29 strikeouts, a good sign for the Angels, as their rotation was battling their way to the Series. Their pitchers combined for 42 total strikeouts in the series to set a franchise record for a three-game total.
Silseth, who started because Jaime Barella was required to rest twice against the Astros, also pitched well enough to ensure he stayed in the rotation. Silseth was effective and attacked hitters, with 38 of his 85 pitches being called either hits or whiffs. His only error was sending a solo goaltender to Giancarlo Stanton to make it 2-1 in the sixth inning with the Angels already leading by a wide margin.
“I managed to bomb the area,” Silseth said. “When you can locate in the area and mix it in with off-pace balls and break balls, it keeps hitters balanced. That was the key to the game.”
The Angels offense kept it going, tying a club record by having home runs in their 18th straight game. It was a feat the club had previously accomplished from 26 July to August. 13, 1982.
Just like on Tuesday, the Angels took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning on a homer. This time, it was Ward who connected with left fielder Carlos Rodon 2-2 to put the Angels ahead early. Luis Rengifo added his teammate in the second half. The Angels scored twice more in the third, as Mickey Moniak landed a rare RBI single off a lefty shot and Eduardo Escobar hit a run with an RBI fielder’s choice.
“Our crime is doing its part,” Nevin said. “We’ll have some hiccups here and there. But it’s about how you bounce back from that stuff. It’s a very fluid room. There’s some added drive there. You just know those ruts are going to be less deep. But it’s been a really good effort these three days against a team ahead of us.” .
“Coffee ninja. Web fan. Hipster-friendly beer enthusiast. Professional creator.”