Miguel Sano reached base four times, Patrick Sandoval rebounded from a forgettable Opening Day start and the Los Angeles Angels completed a three-game sweep of the host Miami Marlins with a 10-2 victory Wednesday afternoon.
It was the Angels’ fourth win in a row, while the Marlins are now 0-7, the longest losing streak to start a season in franchise history.
Sano did not play at all last season after spending his entire career with the Minnesota Twins from 2015-22, but a knee injury and a weight issue resulted in him playing just 20 games in 2022 and hitting .083. This past offseason, he dedicated himself to getting in shape, lost 58 pounds and the Angels took a chance on him with a one-year, $1 million contract.
Sano doubled twice and walked twice Wednesday as the Angels’ finished with 12 hits, including three from Taylor Ward, who hit his third homer of the season.
Sandoval (1-1) gave up five runs (three earned) in 1 2/3 innings of an Opening Day loss in Baltimore, but made amends Wednesday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks in 5 2/3 innings, striking out seven and making 93 pitches.
Angels reliever Guillermo Zuniga threw three hitless innings, earning his first career major league save.
Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel entered the game in the fifth inning and was 0 for 1 with a sacrifice fly entering the ninth inning. He was hit by a pitch in the ninth, extending his on-base streak at 35 games, the third longest streak to start a career in major league history.
The Angels scored two runs in the first inning against Marlins starter AJ Puk (0-2). Luis Rengifo, starting at third base and hitting leadoff in place of Anthony Rendon, opened the game with a double to right field.
Rendon has started the season 0 for 19 with five strikeouts.
One out later, Mike Trout singled and Ward followed with an RBI single. The second run of the inning scored when Brandon Drury grounded into a fielder’s choice.
The Angels added to their lead in the third, scoring two unearned runs. Aaron Hicks led off with a single and one out later went to third on a double by Ward.
Both Hicks and Ward scored due to third baseman Vidal Brujan’s fielding error on a grounder by Drury, allowing the Angels to increase their lead to 4-0.
Puk was finished after four innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks, striking out five.
Rengifo, after going 1 for 3, was lifted for a pinch hitter in the sixth inning because he felt light-headed.
–Field Level Media
