Angels Seeking Series Victory Over AL-Best Rays After Close Win In Opener

The Los Angeles Angels are one of the hottest teams in baseball right now, having won three straight and four of its last five after defeating the American League-best Tampa Bay Rays in the opener of a three-game set Friday.

Going up against Tampa Bay’s ace, the Angels jumped on left-hander Shane McClanahan early and chased him after four innings. Journeyman first baseman Trey Mancini opened the scoring with a two-run triple in the first inning, knocking in outfielders Mike Trout and Jo Adell.

Infielder Nick Madrigal, who served as the designated hitter, knocked in a run with an infield single in the third inning to continue his hot streak with the Halos before catcher Logan O’Hoppe scored Madrigal with a single of his own to put Los Angeles up 4-0.

Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda had a two-run single in the fifth to cut the deficit in half and added another RBI single in the ninth, but reliever Ryan Zeferjahn recorded the final out with the tying run on third to secure the 4-3 win.

Angels lefty Sam Aldegheri earned the win after pitching five clean innings of two-run ball (one earned) on three hits and three walks while striking out four.

The Angels still occupy the worst record in the AL at 28-42, but if the team keeps playing well, it could potentially make a push in the weak AL West. Winning at least two of three against the Rays would be huge for team morale and vibes, and the Halos can clinch the series with a win tonight.

The pitching matchup will consist of Angels ace right-hander Jose Soriano and Rays reliever-turned-starter Griffin Jax.

Soriano got off to a blistering start and looked like a Cy Young contender through his first six starts but has come back down to earth. Still, Soriano has put together an impressive season and is 7-4 with a 2.96 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 87 strikeouts to 40 walks through 14 starts (82 innings).

Soriano last threw against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a blowout win and he allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks while fanning two across six innings. When he commands the strike zone, Soriano is tough to beat, so keeping the walks to a minimum is crucial to his and the Angels’ success against a solid Rays lineup.

Jax started in the bullpen for Tampa Bay but struggled in the role, so he was converted to a starter and has had good success. The 31-year-old righty is 1-4 with a 4.15 ERA,1.41 WHIP and 36 strikeouts to 18 walks through 19 games (eight starts, 39 innings).

Jax last pitched against the Miami Marlins and threw five scoreless innings of three-hit, two-walk ball with four strikeouts in a losing effort.

First pitch is at 7:07 p.m. PDT on MLB.TV and regional sports networks.