Angels’ bats remain quiet as losing streak reaches 5 games
The Angels did not score for 18 consecutive innings before getting on the board in the seventh inning of their 4-2 loss to the Orioles on Monday. Mike Trout and Taylor Ward, two of their hottest hitters earlier in the month, have both struggled during the losing streak.
Angels star Mike Trout reacts after striking out to end their 4-2 loss as Baltimore Orioles catcher James McCann kneels behind the plate on Monday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Angels pitcher Reid Detmers throws to the plate during the fourth inning of their game against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Angels starting pitcher Reid Detmers throws the ball to first base to force out the Baltimore Orioles’ Anthony Santander, left, during the first inning on Monday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Baltimore Orioles’ Adley Rutschman reacts after fouling off a pitch during the first inning of their game against the Angels on Monday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Baltimore Orioles’ Jordan Westburg, right, steals second as Angels second baseman Ehire Adrianza takes a late throw during the first inning on Monday, April 22, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Albert Suárez throws to the plate during the first inning of a game against the Angels on Monday, April 22, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Angels pitcher Reid Detmers throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday, April 22, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Baltimore Orioles’ James McCann hits a solo home run during the second inning of their game against the Angels on Monday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Baltimore Orioles’ James McCann gestures as he scores after hitting a solo home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Angels on Monday, April 22, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Baltimore Orioles’ James McCann celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the second inning of their game against the Angels on Monday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Baltimore Orioles’ James McCann is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the second inning of a game against the Angels on Monday, April 22, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Angels second baseman Ehire Adrianza bobbles a ball that was hit by the Baltimore Orioles’ Ramón Urías but is able to keep it in front of him and throw out Urias at first during the fourth inning on Monday, April 22, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Angels starting pitcher Reid Detmers throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Albert Suárez throws to the plate during the fourth inning of their game against the Angels on Monday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Angels starting pitcher Reid Detmers watches from the dugout during the fourth inning of their game against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday night at Angel Stadium. The Angels dropped their fifth consecutive game, 4-2. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Baltimore Orioles’ Jorge Mateo throws his bat as he runs to first base during the fifth inning of their game against the Angels on Monday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Angels second baseman Ehire Adrianza can’t get to a ball hit for a single by the Baltimore Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson during the fifth inning on Monday, April 22, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Baltimore Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson, right, heads home to score on a double by Adley Rutschman as Angels pitcher Reid Detmers walks back to the mound during the fifth inning on Monday, April 22, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Albert Suárez slaps hands with teammates after being removed during the sixth inning of their game against the Angels on Monday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Baltimore Orioles’ Colton Cowser, center, is congratulated by Jorge Mateo, left, after hitting a solo home run as Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe kneels at the plate during the seventh inning on Monday, April 22, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the Angels on Monday, April 22, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the Angels on Monday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Angels star Mike Trout reacts after striking out to end their 4-2 loss as Baltimore Orioles catcher James McCann kneels behind the plate on Monday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Baltimore Orioles catcher James McCann, left, and relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel congratulate each other after the final out of their 4-2 victory over the Angels on Monday, April 22, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Baltimore Orioles’ Jorge Mateo, left, and Anthony Santander, center, congratulate each other as Cedric Mullins watches after their 4-2 victory over the Angels on Monday, April 22, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
ANAHEIM — When Ron Washington was asked what he saw in the final at-bat of the Angels’ 4-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Monday night, the shortness of his answer relayed his frustration.
“I saw him not swing the bat,” the Angels manager said after Mike Trout was called out on strikes to leave the bases loaded, ending the Angels’ fifth straight loss.
“Bases loaded,” Washington added. “Have an opportunity to at least tie it. Just gotta swing the bat.”
It was the second time in the last nine games that an Angels’ game ended with Trout striking out with the tying run in scoring position. Kenley Jansen got him swinging to end the April 14 game at Boston, and this time it was Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel. Trout took four straight high fastballs. He was behind, 1-and-2, when Kimbrel threw one at the top of the zone, ending the game.
“I knew what he was going to throw me,” Trout said. “They have been throwing me the same stuff the whole game. I’ve gotta come through. That’s it.”
Trout, who is now 2 for 18 with runners in scoring position this season, also regretted that he didn’t at least put the ball in play.
“I think in the past week or two I’ve been off and on at the plate, feeling wise, as opposed to what I was at the beginning of the season,” Trout said. “Just trying to find some things. But no excuse. I gotta come through.”
Trout has been cold lately, as have most of his teammates. He has 1 hit in his last 18 at-bats. The Angels as a team are hitting .211 in the five-game losing streak, scoring just seven runs.
The Angels (9-14) went 18 innings between runs, with a shutout on Sunday and then no runs on Monday until Jo Adell’s homer in the seventh.
A Nolan Schanuel RBI single cut the deficit to two, and they had a promising rally in the ninth. Adell was hit by a pitch to start the inning, and then Logan O’Hoppe dropped a single into right, his third hit of the game. Ehire Adrianza then struck out. Washington said he let Adrianza hit, as opposed to using a pinch-hitter, because he wanted him to bunt. Once Adell stole third, Washington figured he could get him in.
Pinch-hitter Luis Rengifo then walked to load the bases. Washington let Schanuel hit even though he had Brandon Drury available on the bench.
“He has to learn those type of experiences, so I left him in there,” Washington said.
Schanuel hit a pop-up, and then Trout’s strikeout ended another disappointing game for the Angels’ hitters.
“We’re working,” Washington said. “We’re talking every day. We’re going through the process every day. We’ve got to wait for the process to work. I’m sitting on the bench. The guys between the lines have to get it done. And we’re working at it every single day. And at some point, we will put it together.”
A fitting snapshot of the Angels’ futility came in the sixth inning.
Trout led off by drawing a walk. As Taylor Ward worked a full count, the Angels put Trout in motion. Ward then punched the 3-and-2 pitch right back to right-hander Albert Suarez. He snagged it and then casually flipped it to first, for a double play.
Trout had another opportunity in the seventh, after Schanuel’s single. He represented the tying run when he grounded out.
While the hitters struggled for most of the night, starter Reid Detmers pitched well enough to get through seven innings, allowing four runs.
The Orioles nicked him for single runs in the second, third, fifth and seventh innings.
James McCann pulled a homer just inside the left field pole to get the Orioles on the board. An inning later, Detmers walked No. 9 hitter Jorge Mateo to start the inning. Mateo then stole second and third. Adley Rutschman then poked a soft line drive over the drawn-in infield, knocking in a run.
In the fifth, Detmers nearly struck out Gunnar Henderson, but catcher Logan O’Hoppe had the foul tip bounce out of his glove. Henderson then rolled a single through the right side, and Rutschman drove him in with a double into the gap.
Detmers gave up a homer to Colton Cowser in the seventh.
“I battled,” Detmers said. “Got through seven, which is huge for the bullpen. I kept us in the game. At the end of the day, I just made a couple mistakes, about three or four pitches I’d like to have back. But other than that, I just went out there and competed. I battled and I felt pretty good.”
