Angels Can’t Hold Early Lead As They Drop A 6-2 Decision To Mariners In Seattle

The Los Angeles Angels got their latest road trip off to a promising start, but they couldn’t make an early 2-0 lead hold up as they lost 6-2 to the Seattle Mariners in the first game of their three-game series. 

The first few innings featured the Zach Neto and Denzer Guzman show for the Halos. A Neto double followed by a Guzman single gave the Angels a 1-0 lead, and Neto doubled it with a solo homer in the third to make it 2-0. 

The lead didn’t last long, however. The Mariners cut the lead in half with a solo home run by Cole Young in the bottom of the third off Angels starter Ryan Johnson to make it 2-1. Seattle got two more in the fourth via a two-run single by Cal Raliegh to take a 3-2 lead. 

Both runs were unearned, however, as an error by Guzman at third allowed Josh Naylor to reach and score along with Randy Arozarena, who was hit by a pitch. 

Johnson made it through five innings, and his final line was actually solid as he gave up just the earned run on four hits. It wasn’t his best outing, but it was serviceable. 

But the Mariners padded their lead in the sixth off reliever Mitch Farris as they used to long ball to put up three more. The first run scored on a solo shot by Dominic Canzone, and Young struck again with a two-run bomb to make it 6-2. 

The Angels didn’t hit much after that small scoring surge early, as Seattle starter George Kirby settled down and dominated the Halos. Kirby wound up going eight innings and striking out seven as he scattered seven hits and a walk. The only other Angel who did anything offensively was Josh Lowe, who had a two-hit night, and Seattle reliever Jose Ferrer finished the game with a scoreless ninth. 

If you’re looking for small signs of hope, Johnson’s start represents a step in the right direction as the Angels try to build out their rotation, and Neto continues to produce in the power department. Farris has been mostly reliable in relief, but he struggled with his control and slipped last night. 

The Angels will send Jose Soriano to the mound against Brian Woo for the Mariners in what should be a fun pitching matchup, although both pitchers have been struggling lately so there might be some unexpected offensive fireworks in the second game.