The Los Angeles Angels prevented a series sweep by the Baltimore Orioles with a strong performance in Sunday’s finale, where Mike Trout played a crucial role. After two tough losses in the previous games of the series, Trout’s return from injury and offensive output helped the Angels secure a win and end the Orioles’ bid for a sweep.
Orioles Seek Momentum Amid Mixed Results
The Baltimore Orioles have improved recently but are still striving to build consistency as they hosted the Angels for the final game of the series. Baltimore won the previous game 6-5 after a rain-interrupted 2-0 victory on Friday, giving them hope for a strong series. Orioles catcher Gary Sanchez stressed the importance of these wins moving forward.
“That’s important. It’s important for us to get these wins going forward.”
—Gary Sanchez, Orioles catcher
The Orioles aimed to create their third winning streak of three or more games within the past month, demonstrating their efforts to find productive stretches.
“We continue to try for good stretches, put a couple streaks on the board and see where we’re at,”
—Cedric Mullins, Orioles center fielder
Mike Trout’s Strategic Return Boosts Angels’ Offense
Mike Trout, making his comeback since May 30 following a bone bruise in his left knee, has been contributing as a designated hitter rather than an outfielder to avoid risking his recovery. Trout hit a home run during Saturday’s game, providing a key spark for the Angels.
“We’re just trying to be smart about keeping me in the lineup,”
—Mike Trout, Angels outfielder
Angels manager Ron Washington highlighted Trout’s value whenever he is in the batter’s box, noting the positive impact of his bat on the team‘s performance.
“As long as he’s healthy and he’s able to step into that batter’s box, he’s going to give us something,”
—Ron Washington, Angels manager
Starting Pitchers Set to Face Off in Series Finale
The Angels will send left-hander Yusei Kikuchi to the mound, who recently delivered an impressive one-hit, 7 1/3 scoreless inning performance against the Athletics, earning a win for Los Angeles. Despite a 2-5 record overall, Kikuchi has helped the Angels to victory in six of his last seven starts. His previous experience against the Orioles includes a 5-5 record with a 4.80 ERA over 15 appearances.
On the Orioles’ side, left-handed pitcher Cade Povich is scheduled to start. Povich has struggled in recent outings, allowing five runs in two of his last three starts, which contributed to the team’s losses during those games. He has yet to pitch against the Angels in his career since his MLB debut just over a year ago.
Lineup Changes and Roster Updates Affect Team Strategies
Orioles first baseman Ryan O’Hearn missed Saturday’s game due to a foot injury considered minor by interim manager Tony Mansolino. Mansolino commented on protecting O’Hearn early in the season despite the team’s ambitions.
“My guess is that if this is September and we’re trying to win the pennant, he’s probably playing (Saturday),”
“But I think with the idea that it’s still pretty early in the season, we want to take care of it.”
—Tony Mansolino, Orioles interim manager
Meanwhile, the Angels returned left-handed pitcher Garrett McDaniels to the Los Angeles Dodgers after he made 10 relief appearances without a decision and had not pitched since May 1. This roster move comes as part of the Rule 5 draft regulations.
Implications for Both Teams Moving Forward
The Angels’ ability to avoid a sweep with Mike Trout’s timely contribution signals a boost for their lineup as they prepare for upcoming games. Baltimore, while demonstrating competitive spirit, continues to seek consistency and healthier pitching performances to build longer winning stretches. The pitching matchup between Kikuchi and Povich in the finale highlights the ongoing challenges both teams face in stabilizing their rotations. How each team manages injuries and player availability will be critical as the season progresses.