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.
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.
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.