Jose Soriano allowed two hits over six shutout innings and Logan O’Hoppe hit a two-run single as the visiting Los Angeles Angels defeated the Chicago Cubs 2-0 on Tuesday.
Relievers Chase Silseth, Drew Pomeranz and Jordan Romano followed Soriano to complete a four-hit shutout.
Pomeranz struck out Pete Crow-Armstrong on a foul bunt leading off the ninth before Romano picked up the final two outs to notch his second save of the season. Romano navigated a one-out walk to Dansby Swanson, striking out pinch-hitter Michael Conforto to end the game.
Soriano (2-0) limited the Cubs to leadoff singles from Miguel Amaya and Moises Ballesteros in the third and fifth, but the defense turned double plays both times. Soriano walked two and struck out four while throwing 56 of his 90 pitches for strikes.
Los Angeles was held to five hits. The Angels scored the lone runs of the game in the sixth against Cubs reliever Phil Maton (0-1). Jorge Soler walked to open the inning and Jeimer Candelario doubled before O’Hoppe smashed a two-run, ground ball single that deflected off Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman.
Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon took a no-decision, scattering two hits, four walks and three strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings. After allowing baserunners in the first two innings, Taillon retired nine straight batters during one stretch.
An O’Hoppe walk and Oswald Peraza double gave Los Angeles two men in scoring position with one out in the fifth. But the Cubs escaped trouble as Taillon struck out Zach Neto and reliever Hoby Milner got Nolan Schanuel to ground out to shortstop around Taillon’s intentional walk of Mike Trout.
Peraza had two hits, the only player on either team to register more than one.
The Angels evened the series at one game apiece after Chicago won 7-2 on Monday.
Chicago left fielder Ian Happ saw his three-game home run streak come to an end. Happ went 0-for-2 with two walks and a strikeout.
Los Angeles went 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position while leaving 10 on base.
Chicago stranded seven and was 0-for-4 with men in scoring position.
–Field Level Media
