The Los Angeles Angels delivered a dominant 8-0 victory over the San Diego Padres on Friday night in Anaheim, just hours after the organization announced the passing of beloved franchise legend Garret Anderson. Home runs from Yoan Moncada and Josh Lowe powered the Angels to victory, bringing San Diego’s impressive eight-game winning streak to an end.
Angels pitcher Jose Soriano turned in another stellar performance, improving to 5-0 on the season by surrendering just two hits across 5 2/3 innings of work. The right-hander issued four walks while striking out eight batters, dropping his major-league-best ERA to an incredible 0.28. Through 32 2/3 innings this season, Soriano has given up only one run – a home run by Atlanta’s Drake Baldwin – and 11 hits while recording 39 strikeouts.
Los Angeles put together an offensive showcase with 13 total hits. Nolan Schanuel led the way with a 3-for-5 performance that included one RBI and one run scored. Adam Frazier contributed a double and single while crossing home plate twice, Jo Adell delivered a crucial two-run double, and both Zach Neto and Oswald Peraza collected two hits each. The victory marked the Angels’ third win in their last four contests.
San Diego starter Matt Waldron struggled early, falling to 0-1 after allowing six runs on eight hits in just 3 2/3 innings. The right-hander walked one batter and struck out four in the losing effort.
The Angels seized control early, building a 3-0 advantage in the second inning. Moncada opened the frame by launching his third home run of the season, a 388-foot blast to right-center field. After two outs, Logan O’Hoppe was struck by a pitch and came around to score on Frazier’s double. Neto capped the rally with an RBI single.
The Padres threatened in the third inning, loading the bases with two outs following a single by Ty France and walks to Luis Campusano and Fernando Tatis Jr. However, Soriano escaped the dangerous situation by inducing a ground out to second base from Jackson Merrill.
Los Angeles expanded their lead to 6-0 in the fourth inning through an RBI single by Schanuel off Waldron, followed by Adell’s two-run line drive double into the left-center gap off reliever David Morgan.
Lowe put the game away in the fifth inning with his third home run of the season, a two-run shot down the right field line that scored Peraza, who had reached base after being hit by a pitch.
The emotional backdrop to Friday’s game centered around Anderson, who passed away Thursday at age 53 from a heart attack. Anderson holds the franchise records for hits and games played, among other categories, cementing his legacy as one of the organization’s greatest players.
