The Arizona Diamondbacks avoided a series sweep on Sunday afternoon, securing a 5-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium in the final game before the All-Star break. Backed by a four-run fourth inning and a solid outing from starting pitcher Merrill Kelly, Arizona improved to 47-50 on the season, while Los Angeles fell to 44-46.
According to pregame betting lines, the Angels entered the game as slight -120 favorites, while the Diamondbacks were listed at +100 underdogs. The total runs over/under was set at 8.5, with the final tally staying under.
Jose Herrera delivered the key blow with a two-run double in the fourth, helping Arizona take control of the game after falling behind early. Blaze Alexander also contributed two hits and an RBI double in the same inning as the bottom of the Diamondbacks’ batting order proved crucial. Herrera and Alexander, hitting in the eighth and ninth spots, combined for three hits and three RBIs.
Merrill Kelly (8-5) pitched five effective innings for Arizona, allowing just one run and one hit despite issuing four walks. The right-hander overcame early command issues and struck out six, including working around a pair of first-inning walks. Kelly has been exceptionally reliable following team losses this season, holding a 5-1 record with a 2.67 ERA in such outings.
The Angels scored in the third inning on an RBI single by Mike Trout, who drove in Zach Neto after a walk and a stolen base. That early 1-0 lead was short-lived, however, as the Diamondbacks responded with a big fourth inning.
Eugenio Suarez began the rally with a grounder to third that was mishandled by Angels infielder Yoan Moncada, who has been dealing with lingering knee soreness. The error set up runners at first and second with no outs. Suarez eventually came around to score on Alexander’s double, followed by Herrera’s two-run hit to the corner in left. Suarez added another RBI in the fifth with a double to push the lead to 5-1.
Jose Soriano (6-7) was charged with the loss for Los Angeles. The right-hander allowed five runs over five innings, but only one was earned. Soriano walked three and struck out four in his 18th start of the season.
Defensively, Moncada’s error in the fourth proved costly and he was later removed from the game in the sixth, replaced by Kevin Newman at third base. The defensive switch was a precaution due to Moncada’s ongoing knee discomfort.
With the win, Arizona snapped a two-game losing streak and closed the first half of the season with its fourth win in the last 12 games. Los Angeles missed an opportunity to complete its third home sweep since June but enters the break within striking distance of .500.
Following the All-Star festivities, both teams are scheduled to resume play on Friday. The Diamondbacks will host the St. Louis Cardinals, while the Angels travel east to face the Philadelphia Phillies.
