Kyle Hendricks delivered his most effective start to help the Los Angeles Angels defeat the Detroit Tigers 5-2 on Saturday night at Angel Stadium. The win snapped a seven-game losing streak for the Angels and marked Hendricks’ first victory since joining the club.
Entering the contest, the betting odds reflected a slight edge in favor of the visiting Tigers. Detroit was listed as a narrow -115 favorite on the moneyline, while the Angels were priced at -105, indicating a fairly balanced matchup despite Los Angeles’ recent struggles.
Hendricks, a 35-year-old right-hander in his sixth start for the Angels after 11 seasons with the Chicago Cubs, took control early. He allowed four hits and one run over 7 2/3 innings, facing only one batter over the minimum through the first seven frames. His performance helped lower his ERA from 6.65 as he kept Detroit’s offense largely in check. Hendricks’ only blemish came in the eighth inning when Spencer Torkelson connected for his 10th home run of the season, a solo shot to left field that ended the shutout.
The Angels built their lead in the sixth inning with a four-run rally. After loading the bases against Tigers starter Jack Flaherty, Luis Rengifo delivered a two-run single up the middle on the first pitch he saw. Kyren Paris followed with another two-run single to give Los Angeles a 5-0 advantage. The outburst marked just the second time in the team’s last 20 games that they scored five or more runs.
Paris had earlier reached on a misplayed fly ball in the second inning, which dropped in right-center after a collision between Kerry Carpenter and Riley Greene. Travis d’Arnaud scored from second on the play, giving Los Angeles its first run. Carpenter was charged with an error.
Flaherty, who entered the game with a 1-3 record, allowed five runs, four of which were earned, on eight hits across 5 2/3 innings. He struck out five and walked one but faltered in the decisive sixth.
In the ninth, the Angels turned to closer Kenley Jansen for the save. After Brock Burke allowed two runners to reach, Jansen entered and secured his seventh save of the season by inducing an RBI groundout from Greene and a lineout from Colt Keith to end the game. Jansen’s outing came one day after he gave up three home runs and six runs in the ninth inning during Friday’s loss.
Offensively, the Angels continued to struggle in some areas. Taylor Ward’s hitless streak extended to 26 at-bats. However, Rengifo’s consistent production with runners in scoring position continued, improving his average to .438 in such scenarios.
With the series now 2-1 in Detroit’s favor, the Angels will attempt to earn a split in the four-game set on Sunday. Right-hander Jack Kochanowicz (1-4, 5.29 ERA) is slated to start for Los Angeles, while Detroit counters with Reese Olson (3-2, 3.55 ERA).
