The Baltimore Orioles will look to ride the momentum of a series win over the two-time defending World Series champions when they open a three-game set against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday in Anaheim, Calif.
The Orioles bounced back from a 6-5 walk-off loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday to win the final two games of the series, capped by an impressive 12-1 victory on Sunday afternoon.
That improved Baltimore to 3-3 on a challenging nine-game road trip that began with losing two of three games to the American League West-leading Seattle Mariners.
The Orioles pounded out 15 hits in Sunday’s win, including a three-run home run by Pete Alonso, a two-run shot by Blaze Alexander and solo homers by Taylor Ward and Colton Cowser.
“It was fun,” Baltimore manager Craig Albernaz said. “That’s what this offense is capable of. It was great to see those guys show up, especially after a tough Game 1 here, and how they bounced back.
“They’re a great team. Back-to-back defending champs. They have a lot of great players over there. Well managed and coached, and it’s tough to play in Dodger Stadium. Our boys did a great job of coming out and competing. It shows that we can play with anyone.”
Right-hander Kyle Bradish (4-7, 4.00 ERA) will start the series opener on Monday for Baltimore, which is bidding to match its season-high road winning streak of three games.
Bradish allowed one run and struck out a career-high 12 batters over 7 2/3 innings in a 5-3 win over the Mariners on Wednesday.
He is 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA in one career start against the Angels. That came back on May 17, 2023, when he allowed one run – a home run to Mike Trout – on four hits over 6 2/3 innings while striking out five in a 3-1 win.
The Angels enter the series opener after salvaging a split of their four-game series with the Athletics following their 9-7 victory on Sunday in West Sacramento, Calif.
Los Angeles will turn to left-hander Sam Aldegheri (2-2, 4.50 ERA), who will be facing Baltimore for the first time in his career.
Aldegheri, 24, allowed six runs on six hits in three innings of an 8-1 setback to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday.
The Angels fell behind 4-0 in the first inning Sunday against the A’s but rallied to forge a 7-7 tie on a three-run home run by rookie Denzer Guzman in the eighth inning. Zach Neto blasted a two-run homer in the ninth that capped the scoring.
The 22-year-old Guzman, ranked the team’s No. 7 prospect by MLB Pipeline, has homered in three consecutive games while also excelling defensively at third base.
“It looks like he’s settling in,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said. “He puts in the work, and it looks like he belongs. It’s nice to see him get results and all the hard work that he’s put in. He’s a great teammate, hard worker, so it’s fun to watch him right now.”
Neto’s home run was his 17th of the season and moved him into a tie with the injured Trout for the team lead. Neto also hit a two-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Athletics, 2-1, on May 18 in Anaheim.
“He loves big moments,” Suzuki said. “He wants that big moment.”
–Field Level Media
