TAYLOR WARD hit a tow-run homer in the first inning (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

It was less than week ago that many fans and sports journalists had written off the 2023 season of the Los Angeles Angels, and their chances of keeping superstar Shohei Ohtani.

But after a sweep of the New York Yankees and four wins out of five games, the Halos are above .500 again (49-48) and hopes for a playoff run are breathing again.

On Wednesday, the Angels jumped off to an early 6-0 lead and never looked back. Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in first and Luis Rengifo matched that in the second. Ward added an RBI double.

Ohtani wasn’t given much to hit and walked four times.

Chase Sileth (2-1) got the win, working 5.2 innings and yielding just four hits and one earned run. He struck out 10 batters and walked one.

With the win, the Angels leapfrogged the Seattle Mariners (47-48) into third place in the American League West.

On Friday the Pirates will come to Anaheim to start a three-game series.

Dodgers can’t sweep, still in 1st

Even the high-flying Los Angeles Dodgers can’t win ‘em all, losing 8-5 to the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards on Wednesday.

With the loss, the Blue Crew (55-40) remain first in the National League West Division, 1.5 games ahead of the San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks, tied for second at 54-42.

The usually reliable Julio Urias (7-6) had an off-day, giving up eight hits and eight earned runs over five innings. He struck out two batters and walked one.

At bat, the Dodgers got home runs from James Outman (his 12th) and Max Muncy (22nd). Will Smith was 2-for-3 with an RBI and David Peralta 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Next up is a travel day off on Thursday and then the start on Friday of a series in Arlington to play the Texas Rangers.