Angels bullpen steps up big in Oakland

The Angels close out their series in Oakland with two wins, as they picked up a 4-2 victory on Sunday to split the four-game series.

Jose Quintana only went three innings, meaning the Angels’ bullpen would be asked to close the game out. Through the first two months of the season, they’ve had arguably the worst bullpen in all of baseball. On Sunday, they looked completely different.

After Quintana left the game, Jose Suarez stepped in and threw three scoreless innings. He struck out four and didn’t allow a single hit. With the Angels up two runs, he kept the Oakland offense quiet.

Once his day was done, the Angels turned to Steve Cishek. He tossed a scoreless inning of relief, striking out one and not allowing a hit. Mike Mayers followed with ²⁄₃ of a scoreless inning, and then Raisel Iglesias followed with a four-out save. He struck out two and picked up his ninth save of the season.

Turning to the offense, all four of their runs came in the second inning. Jared Walsh led off the inning with a solo homer, his 12th of the season. The Angels then got back-to-back singles, putting two runners on. After a sacrifice bunt, they had runners on second and third with one out.

On the first pitch he saw, David Fletcher ripped a double to left field, bringing in both runners to give the Angels the 3-0 lead. Phil Gosselin then drove in Fletcher with a single, putting LA up four runs. The Angels would record only three hits over the final seven innings, but their second inning scoring barrage was just enough for the victory.

Sunday particulars

WP: Jose Suarez (2-0) 3 IP, 0 ER, 4 SO

LP: Cole Irvin (3-7) 6 IP, 4 ER, 3 SO

SV: Raisel Iglesias (9) 1 ¹⁄₃ IP, 0 ER, 2 SO

HR: Jared Walsh (12)

Box score