ALEX MEYER pitched seven shutout innings in the Angels’ 7-0 win on Wednesday (Angels.com).

By Pete Zarustica

One of the issues plaguing the Los Angeles Angels through much of the 2017 season has been the inability of the team to put together good pitching and good hitting at the same time.

That wasn’t a problem on Wednesday, as the Halos blasted the Washington Nationals 7-0 in Anaheim behind a masterful pitching performance by Alex Meyer and nine key hits. The win improved the Angels’ record to 47-50 and moved them into third place in the American League West. They also closed within three games in the AL wild card race.

Meyer (4-5) pitched seven shutout innings, giving up just one hit. He struck out seven batters and walked just one. “It was good to be able to come up here and have that, especially against the team that drafted me,” said Meyer.

The Angels got two-run home runs from Mike Trout (his 18th of the season) and C.J. Cron (fourth).

The Nationals (57-37), who lead the National League West, suffered their first defeat in seven games.

Thursday is a day off for the Angels, who will start a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox on Friday. The Bosox (54-42) lead the AL East by three games.