The Los Angeles Angels secured an 8-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday in Anaheim, clinching the rubber match of their three-game series behind a powerful offensive display and strong pitching from Walbert Urena.
Travis d’Arnaud launched a three-run homer to cap a decisive five-run rally in the second inning, while Urena earned his first major league victory by surrendering just one run on two hits across six innings of work.
The victory represents a significant milestone for Los Angeles, as it marks their first consecutive wins since April 16-17. Additionally, this was only their third series victory of the season and first home series win since taking three games from Seattle on April 3-5.
Several Angels players contributed to the offensive outburst. Zach Neto recorded a triple while crossing home plate twice and driving in two runs. Bryce Teodosio collected two hits including a double, stole two bases, and scored twice. Jorge Soler reached base safely four times via a single, two walks, and a hit-by-pitch while adding one RBI. Urena (1-3) recorded five strikeouts and issued three walks.
For Chicago, Colson Montgomery doubled and came around to score, while Chase Meidroth tallied two hits plus a walk and scored once. Starting pitcher Noah Schultz (2-2) took the loss in his fifth big league start, giving up seven runs on seven hits in 3⅔ innings while walking four and striking out three.
The White Sox struck first in the second inning when Montgomery opened the frame with a double that bounced off the left-center field wall before coming home on Meidroth’s bloop single.
Los Angeles responded immediately in the bottom of the second with their big inning. After Soler and Oswald Peraza both reached on singles, d’Arnaud connected on his first home run of the year, sending the ball 396 feet to left field. Teodosio then dropped a double into right field and advanced home when Neto ripped a triple to the right field corner. Neto subsequently scored when Meidroth lost Mike Trout’s popup in the bright sun.
The Angels pushed their advantage to 7-1 in the fourth inning as Soler and Jo Adell were both plunked by reliever Osvaldo Bido with the bases full.
Chicago managed to cut the deficit to 7-2 in the seventh when Sam Antonacci was hit by a Drew Pomeranz pitch with runners occupying all three bases.
Los Angeles tacked on an insurance run in the eighth inning on Neto’s sacrifice fly, which brought home Nolan Schanuel after his single.
