Early Spark Fizzles in Game 2 Loss

After a gritty Game 1 win, the Angels came into Game 2 looking to build momentum, and for a moment, it looked like they might. The Halos broke through in the second, with Jo Adell knocking a two-out single and advancing on a walk from Moncada. Adell then singled again in the 4th, capping a breakout frame that saw the Angels erupt for three runs on six hits. Neto, Rengifo, Wade Jr., d’Arnaud, Moncada, Adell, and Ward all contributed to the rally, with back-to-back home runs from Adell and Ward giving the Angels a 4–1 lead and some breathing room.

Yusei Kikuchi gave up a run in the 1st on a Castellanos RBI single, but stayed composed through the 3rd and 4th. However, the 5th and 6th innings turned into a nightmare. After giving up a run in the 5th on a Turner single, Kikuchi and the bullpen collapsed in the 6th. With two runners on, Schwarber crushed a three-run homer to tie and flip the game, followed by a sac fly and a pair of singles that suddenly made it a 7–4 Phillies lead.

Despite the rocky inning, there were some bright spots: Moncada launched a solo homer in the top of the 6th, his second long ball in two nights, continuing his hot stretch at the plate. Schanuel and Neto both had multi-hit efforts, and d’Arnaud looked more comfortable behind the plate, even if he struggled with runners in scoring position.

Unfortunately, the Phillies’ bullpen clamped down from the 5th inning onward, allowing just two hits across the middle frames. The Angels’ offense couldn’t recapture the rhythm of the 4th inning and were held scoreless the rest of the way. What began as a promising night turned into a frustrating one, with the Angels letting a 4–1 lead slip away and giving the Phillies new life in the series.

The Angels did have a window in the 7th after Ward doubled in a run and Schanuel singled, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate with two outs. But back-to-back strikeouts from Trout and Neto ended the threat. The final two innings passed quietly, Marsh, Sosa, and Kemp went down in order in the bottom of the 7th, and the Angels couldn’t muster anything off Tanner Banks in the 8th.

The Phillies added a dagger in the bottom of the 8th with a Bryce Harper blast to center, a two-run homer that extended Philadelphia’s lead to 9–5 and sucked the last bit of momentum out of the Angels’ dugout. Although the bullpen kept it close afterward, the Halos went quietly in the 9th with a pair of strikeouts and a pop-out, sealing the loss in a game that once looked firmly in their grasp.

Some highlights:

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smithy610
Super Member
5 hours ago

Sucks to lose, especially with 3 HRs. The Angels really like hitting their HRs on the road.

Good to see Adell’s steady improvement. I was worried that when his hit streak ended, it would go to his head and started flailing. Instead, he drew walks, and continued his OB streak. Then when that stopped, I was worried again he’s going to start chasing. But so far he’s consistently hit still, and hit for power at that. I’m glad the Angels kept him over Marsh and Paris (I know he’s still in the Minors, but there were talks of potentially DFA’ing Adell during Paris’ hot streak early on)

Phil
Trusted Member
8 hours ago

Well, that was not a pretty game Saturday.

For Sunday’s game:
Suarez faces the Angels. I could not find any info on whether he’s faced them in the past.
For the season, he’s 7-3, 2.15 ERA

Soriano has faced Phillies once (2023), giving up 2 runs in 2/3 of an inning (ERA of 27.00, FWIW)
For the season, he’s 6-7, 3.90 ERA.

It’s going to be a tough game today, what with this being a day game, and on a Sunday.
Angels are 9-20 in day games.
Angels have won on a Sunday only 5 times.

If we get the good Jose “..he’s got great stuff..” Soriano, then we have a chance to win.
If we get the not-so-good Jose “…but he’s inconsistent…” Soriano, it’s going to be ugly.

Last edited 8 hours ago by Phil
frosse
Member
12 hours ago

Is it just me or is Bo Porter the worst 3B coach in the league? Seems like he makes a lot of mistakes when I’m watching. Either sending guys when he shouldn’t or waiting too long to put up the stop sign. There was a play where he was late holding up Moncada and almost actually ran into him as he was rounding 3B.

WallyChuckChili
Legend
15 hours ago

comment image

steelgolf
Legend
15 hours ago

Been saying that since April!!!

Brent
Super Member
16 hours ago

Get whoever that pitcher out of here that gave up the five runs.

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
17 hours ago

48-50 , not bad

Pineapple12
Legend
17 hours ago

Annoying loss. Oh well.

Ward’s trade value has to be climbing. I’m capitalizing on it and sending him away at the deadline. Same goes for Kenley. Moncada is gone too if he has suitors and doesn’t blow out his knee.

I allow myself to change opinion depending on how the next 10 games play out.

YOUknowulovetheIE
Super Member
18 hours ago

They needed kuchi to go 6 innings today.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

Well. It appears we will not be sweeping the #1 team in the NL East. It’s probably because the Phillies planned weeks in advance to have Tijuan Walker start game two of the series, but then suck, so we got comfortable. Then they jumped all over Bauchman, who they knew would pitch today and shut us down with the pen arms they had supplied with extra vitamins and minerals to snuff us in the later innings.

Fire all the managers and coaches. Get rid of the ghost runner. Arte keeps breathing. At least it looks like Ward’s coming around….

bobblanton
Trusted Member
18 hours ago

Okay

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