Angels’ hot offense continues, win third straight over Tigers

The bats continued to stay hot, as the Angels recorded 12 hits as they took down the Tigers, 8-3. The Halos have now taken the first three games in this series and will look to complete the four-game sweep on Sunday.

They scored four runs in the third inning, putting the game out of reach early on. Shohei Ohtani crushed his 22nd homer of the season for a two-run shot, putting LA up 3-0. He is now only one behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for the most in all of baseball.

Taylor Ward doubled, then Jared Walsh hit his 17th homer of the season to give the Angels the 5-0 lead. I know Walsh won’t even make it into the next round of fan-voting, but my god is this guy an All-Star. He’s been incredible for the Angels all season.

The Angels scored another run in the sixth and two more in the eighth, but they were just all insurance runs as the pitching held the Tigers in check all night.

Patrick Sandoval delivered another solid outing for the Angels. He struck out nine and allowed three runs in 5 ²⁄₃ innings. Sandoval has now allowed three runs or less in six consecutive starts and eight of his nine starts this season. Aside from Ohtani, he’s been the best and most consistent starter on the season. In addition, he hasn’t allowed more than two walks in any game this season as well.

After Sandoval’s night was done, the Angels’ bullpen shut things down. Steve Cishek, Tony Watson, Mike Mayers and Alex Claudio combined to allow only two hits in 4 ¹⁄₃ innings of action and didn’t allow a run. Mayers struck out all three hitters he faced in the eighth.

The Angels are back to above .500 and are 36-35. They are 6.5 games back of the wild card spot.