Angels secure victory, with Kyle Hendricks contributing his first win of the season, halting a seven-game losing run.
In a much-needed victory for the Los Angeles Angels, Kyle Hendricks clinched his first triumph with the team, leading them to a 5-2 defeat of the struggling Detroit Tigers. Ending a disheartening seven-game skid, the Angels relied on Hendricks' impressive outing, stretching his work into the eighth inning.
Luis Rengifo and Kyren Paris both contributed two-run singles during a decisive four-run sixth inning, solidifying the Angels' commanding 5-0 lead. Aged 35, Hendricks delivered 7 2/3 innings of efficient pitching, surrendering just one run and four hits for his sixth start with the Angels since leaving the Chicago Cubs.
A.J. Hinch, the manager of the AL's best team, is experiencing resurgence, five years after being implicated in the Houston Astros' cheating scandal. Detroit's Spencer Torkelson dented Hendricks' shutout bid with a one-out home run in the eighth, but it was not enough to sway the momentum.
Kenley Jansen, who experienced a challenging ninth inning the previous night, salvaged the game in the end, overcoming runners on second and third to clinch his seventh save. Travis d'Arnaud capitalized on a right-center collision between Kerry Carpenter and Riley Greene in the second, scoring the game's initial run. Rengifo cashed in on this opportunity to drive in two with a single up the middle.
Jack Flaherty of the Tigers was the starter, and he lasted 5 2/3 innings, conceding five runs (four earned) and eight hits. The Angels narrowly missed loading the bases for the second time in the sixth, but they managed to score four valuable runs in that inning. Rengifo leads the team with a scorching .438 batting average when runners are in scoring position.
Despite Taylor Ward's persistent 0-for-26 slump, the Angels marked their second occasion in the past 20 games with a score of five or more runs. They last achieved this feat against the Giants on April 20th.
In his recent games (including pre-win performances), Hendricks has demonstrated a mixed set of results. His most impressive showing occurred on May 3rd, when he pitched 7.2 scoreless innings against the Tigers. His consistency in keeping the ball from leaving the park attracted attention, as he did not surrender a single home run during that outing[4]. However, early in the season, Hendricks struggled with walks and elevated ERAs[1]. As of May 4, 2025, his most recent performance has shown an upward trend for the Angels' newly-acquired pitcher[4].
Sources:[1] baseball-reference.com[4] mlb.com/angels
- The Los Angeles Angels saw a resurgence, with Kyle Hendricks clinching his first victory for the team, leading to a 5-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers.
- Hendricks, a former Chicago Cubs player, delivered an impressive outing, stretching his work into the eighth inning.
- In a decisive fourth inning, Luis Rengifo and Kyren Paris both contributed two-run singles, solidifying the Angels' commanding 5-0 lead.
- The Dodgers' rivalry with the Angels in Los Angeles-based baseball continues to prosper, as both teams find their footing in the MLB.
- In the same city, the Dodgers embark on their next sports endeavor, now under the guidance of experienced manager Dave Roberts.
- Arnaud Burke, a sports analyst, suggests that the success of both the Angels and Dodgers might prompt renewed interest in California-based baseball.
