Nationals manage to edge out Angels despite missed opportunities and bullpen collapse
Firing Up the Halos: Angels Sizzle Past Mid-Season Mark Despite Management Demons
The Angels, at the halfway point, find themselves hovering around the .500 mark, amidst some organizational uncertainty. General manager Perry Minasian made it clear before game 81, that manager Ron Washington would continue his medical leave for the rest of the season, due to an unspecified health issue. Bench coach Ray Montgomery, taking the reins since June 20, held the interim tag as the Angels stepped up to the plate against the Nationals.
With Montgomery manning the ship, the Angels roared to victory in seven out of their last ten games leading up to this contest, striving not to surrender to choppy waters. However, Friday's game against the Washington Nationals did not exactly sail smoothly. The teams combined for a whopping 24 runs and 30 hits, with the Angels succumbing to an 15-9 defeat in a three-hour, 11-minute marathon.
The Angels had several opportunities to take control during the sixth and seventh innings with runners in scoring position, but failed to capitalize on those chances. This eventually allowed the Nationals to seize an insurmountable lead, with Hunter Strickland giving up four runs in the ninth inning as part of a 10-run onslaught by the bullpen.
The early innings saw the Angels find their groove against Nationals' starting pitcher Jake Irvin. Jo Adell blasted a 92-mph fastball high and away to right field for a solo home run, his 18th of the season. Nolan Schanuel and Taylor Ward followed suit with short-porch home runs of their own, off Irvin's hanging breaking balls.
Three home runs in three innings catapulted the Angels into a three-run lead. The batting barrage against Irvin continued, resulting in a nine-run outburst and nine hits in just over four innings. However, Jose Soriano struggled in this affair, his worst outing of the season, as he trudged through the fifth inning. The right-hander tallied four strikeouts and walked two batters, while giving up eight earned runs and nine hits.
While the Dodgers are splurging their way to success, the Angels are embracing their prospect-laden squad and faith in what they call the "Angels Way." Whether this approach ever proves to be a winning formula remains to be seen, but in the face of adversity, the Halos continue to fight on.
Before the game, Zach Neto, the Angels' injured shortstop, made his return, striking out as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning. Neto, who had jammed his shoulder during a stolen base attempt, provided a much-needed boost in morale for the team. He's reportedly on the road to recovery and should be able to hit before throwing, marking an encouraging step for the Angels' infield.
The Angels will aim to even the score when they face off against the Nationals again on Saturday, with Kyle Hendricks (5-6, 4.83 ERA) ге季季起的胜率和季内 ERA 预期将再次成为焦点。
Sources:1. https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/angels-announce-mr-washington-will-remain-on-medical-leave-for-rest-of-season2. https://www.ocregister.com/2025/06/23/angels-manager-ron-washington-to-remain-on-medical-leave-for-rest-of-season/3. https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/story/2025-06-23/angels-ron-washington-will-remain-on-medical-leave4. https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/angels-manager-ron-washington-will-remain-on-medical-leave-for-rest-of-season-as-ray-montgomery-takes-over-on-interim-basis/5. https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/angels-ron-washington-medical-leave-ray-montgomery-interim-manager-2025/d3a7vigcjg26j1ie907yjxqh2x
- The Angels, despite the health concerns of their manager, have remained competitive in the MLB scene, particularly in the bustling sports scene of Los Angeles, sharing the stage with the renowned Dodgers.
- While the Dodgers continue to excel on the field, the Angels, with an emphasis on fostering their promising prospects, are committed to their unique approach, often referred to as the "Angels Way."
- In the midst of their prospect-laden squad, the Angels have found success in their batting lineup, showcasing their prowess in baseball, a sport that is widely enjoyed not just in California, but across the nation.
- Amidst the high-scoring games, the health status of key players such as injured shortstop Zach Neto remains crucial for the Angels, with his recovery progress essential to their ongoing performance in the coming games, possibly against the formidable Dodgers.
