The Los Angeles Angels have dropped the first two games of its three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays and have lost four in a row.
The Los Angeles Angels are looking to end its losing streak at four games after dropping the second of three games against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday.
The Angels scored first in what was a mostly quiet game offensively until the eighth inning, but the Blue Jays were able to outlast Los Angeles 4-2 to take the series win. Angels second baseman Vaughn Grissom hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning, which was immediately matched by Blue Jays designated hitter Eloy Jimenez in the top of the sixth.
The 1-1 score held until pinch hitter Lenyn Sosa, who was recently acquired in a trade from the Chicago White Sox, roped a two-run double to right field. Jimenez would knock in another run with a single to take a 4-1 lead heading into the ninth.
The Angels loaded the bases with its back against the wall, but after Yoan Moncada had a pinch hit RBI single to cut the deficit to two, first baseman Nolan Schanuel hit into a game-ending double play to end the game.
Los Angeles squandered a great start from right-hander Jack Kochanowicz, who threw 5.2 innings of one-run ball on five hits and two walks with just one strikeout. Lefty reliever Drew Pomeranz allowed the rest of the damage and saw his ERA balloon to 7.00.
Toronto got a nice outing from its starter as well, as left-hander Patrick Corbin pitched five one-run innings on two hits and two walks with three strikeouts. After coming into this series having lost four of its last five games, the Blue Jays have won its last three.
The Blue Jays’ streak could come to a screeching halt on Wednesday, as Angels ace right-hander José Soriano will take the bump for the series finale. Los Angeles needs a stopper and this is exactly who the club needs right now.
Soriano has won all five of his starts and carries a tiny 0.28 ERA and 0.73 WHIP with 39 strikeouts over 32.2 innings. He has been nothing short of incredible this season, but his most recent outing was his worst: 5.2 innings, two hits, no runs, four walks, eight strikeouts.
When a start like that is your worst through five outings, you’re doing something spectacular. He has easily been the best starting pitcher in Major League Baseball to start the 2026 campaign.
The Blue Jays will send lefty Eric Lauer to the mound and after the team used an opener in his last appearance, he will get the start this time. Lauer is 1-3 with a 7.13 ERA and 1.47 WHIP through 17.2 innings and is coming off giving up three runs on five hits and a walk with four strikeouts over five innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
First pitch is at 12:07 p.m. PDT on MLB.TV and regional sports networks.