– by Adesina O. Koiki
A Lot of Sports Talk editor-in-chief
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ARLINGTON, Texas — Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington tried his hardest to make sure his starter on Sunday, José Soriano, got through a jam to complete his final inning of work. Despite Washington eventually having to come with the hook before Soriano got that job done, the work the second-year starter did before his departure was more than enough to impress his manager and teammates, as well as think about what’s to come.
Soriano allowed just one run and two hits in 7 2/3 innings, helping the Angels take the series against the Texas Rangers with a 4-1 victory inside Globe Life Field on Sunday afternoon. Kevin Pillar made sure Soriano’s gem held up for a victory with a two-run single as part of a four-run seventh inning for Los Angeles.
Soriano, who made his Major League debut last year as a reliever, threw just 80 pitches in the first seven innings, with his only run allowed to that point a solo shot by Rangers shortstop Corey Seager in the fourth inning for the game’s first run. After Los Angeles’ rally in the seventh, Soriano got the first two batters out before Washington came out from the Angels dugout to talk with the 25-year-old hurler before another encounter with Seager. Soriano proceeded to walk Seager and give up a single to Nathaniel Lowe, with signaled the end of the pitcher’s night after Washington came out once again..
“When I went out there to talk to him, he wanted to keep the ball, but it just didn’t work out. It was still an outstanding job,” Washington said. “He didn’t run out of gas until the eighth inning, which was great. And by that time, we had a lead.”
In four May starts, Soriano is 2-0 with a 1.90 ERA, striking out 20 in 23 2/3 innings and flashing the potential of being a future ace of the staff.
“He just seems to get better and better with every start,” said center fielder Mickey Moniak. “Obviously, last year, we saw him out of the ‘pen and he was incredible. For him to be able to transition back into a starter and learn as he goes and to kind of just progressively get better and refine his craft with that stuff, it’s fun to watch, especially from center field.”
*Editor’s note: Above the byline is the photo gallery from Sunday afternoon’s contest, with photos taken by ALOST staff photographer Ross James. After clicking on the first photo to enlarge the picture, make sure to press the left and right arrow buttons to scroll through the rest of the pictures. There are 32 pictures in total.
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