Adell Sparks Late Surge as Angels Blank Braves 4-0 to Reach .500

Jo Adell broke a scoreless deadlock with an RBI double in the eighth inning, helping the Los Angeles Angels defeat the Atlanta Braves 4-0 on Tuesday night and climb back to the .500 mark at 42-42.

Adell’s clutch hit down the left-field line brought home Mike Trout, who had doubled earlier in the inning. Jorge Soler, activated from the injured list after missing 11 games due to lower back inflammation, followed with a two-run double to cap a four-run outburst. The rally gave the Angels the edge in a game dominated by pitching through the first seven innings.

After sitting out four games with a jammed right shoulder, Zach Neto returned to the top of the Angels’ lineup. Interim manager Ray Montgomery noted how impactful it was to have Neto and Soler back in the lineup before the game.

Despite their presence, the Angels’ offense was mostly quiet until the eighth inning, mainly due to a strong outing by Braves right-hander Grant Holmes. Holmes struck out 10 and allowed just three hits in six shutout innings. Los Angeles starter Tyler Anderson matched him with six scoreless innings, striking out seven.

Angels rookie reliever José Fermin (1-0) tossed a clean seventh to earn his first career win, and the bullpen held the Braves scoreless the rest of the way.

Key Moment

Michael Harris II snapped a 0-for-22 skid with a triple to start the fifth inning for Atlanta, but the Braves squandered the scoring opportunity as Ronald Acuña Jr. struck out—one of four strikeouts he endured on the night.

Key Stat

Matt Olson’s first-inning single extended his career-best on-base streak to 31 games, the longest current streak in MLB. The stretch dates back to May 29.

Up Next

Braves rookie Didier Fuentes (0-2, 10.80 ERA) will start Wednesday after a one-day delay. Outfielder Jurickson Profar is expected to return from an 80-game suspension for PED use. The Angels will counter with lefty Yusei Kikuchi (3-6, 2.79 ERA).