ANAHEIM — Just when the Angels found enough pitching to slow down the Philadelphia Phillies, they couldn’t find a big hit.
The Angels wasted a solid performance on the mound in a 2-1 loss to the Phillies on Wednesday afternoon.
Starter Patrick Sandoval gave up both runs on a second-inning single, but then he didn’t give up anything else through five innings. Four Angels relievers then shut out the Phillies.
The problem, however, was that the Angels couldn’t come through in numerous opportunities to score, both against Phillies ace Zack Wheeler and the relievers who followed him. The only run was Ehire Adrianza’s homer in the second.
“We had some opportunities to put some runs on board, and we’ve got to learn how to do it,” Manager Ron Washington said. “We’ve just got to learn how to touch the ball and put it in play. And keep things working that way until our office starts clicking.”
The ninth inning was particularly disappointing for the Angels (11-20), who had runners at the corners with one out. Jo Adell could have tied the score with a fly ball, but he struck out. Taylor Ward then hit a fly ball to the warning track in left field, ending the game.
Earlier in the game, Matt Thaiss struck out to strand two runners in the first and third innings. In the fifth, Adell struck out with no outs and a runner at third. Ward and Luis Rengifo then hit line drives to Phillies infielders. Rengifo’s left the bat at 101 mph.
In the eighth, Ward led off with a single but was then was caught trying to steal second base when he wasn’t even supposed to go. Ward missed a sign.
“I need to do a better job of just paying attention over there,” Ward said. “The signs I was given, I thought I saw something and it wasn’t that. So just got to tighten that up.”
Rengifo followed with a single. Pinch-hitter Logan O’Hoppe then hit a ball 111 mph, but directly to left fielder Kyle Schwarber. After an infield hit, Cole Tucker hit a flyout.
To go with the failure in…
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