Soriano Silences Guardians as Angels End Skid with 4-1 Victory in Trout’s Return

José Soriano tossed six shutout innings, and Mike Trout returned to the Los Angeles Angels’ lineup with a base hit as they snapped a five-game losing streak with a 4-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Friday night.

Jo Adell collected three hits and drove in a run, while Jorge Soler crushed a solo homer in the ninth to seal the Angels’ win. Trout, batting fifth as the designated hitter in his first game back from a left knee bone bruise that sidelined him for 26 games, went 1-for-5 with a single in the fourth inning.

Soriano (4-5) delivered his third scoreless outing of at least six innings this season. The right-hander held the Guardians to four hits while walking four and striking out two.

Cleveland’s José Ramírez saw his 21-game hitting streak come to an end, although he drew a walk in the eighth to extend his on-base streak to 26 games. The Guardians have now dropped four of their last five games.

The Angels struck early when Soler walked to lead off the second inning and scored on Adell’s RBI single to right. In the seventh, Scott Kingery scored on a passed ball, and Soler added an RBI single to extend the lead to 3-0.

Cleveland avoided a shutout on Nolan Jones’ RBI single with two outs in the ninth.

Key Moment

With the bases loaded in the fourth and two outs, Soriano escaped trouble by getting Gabriel Arias to swing through a 98 mph sinker, preserving the Angels’ 1-0 lead.

Key Stat

Trout started a game batting lower than third for the first time since Sept. 26, 2011. The three-time AL MVP finished 1-for-5 in his return.

Up Next

The Angels send RHP Kyle Hendricks (2-6, 5.23 ERA) to the mound Saturday, while the Guardians counter with RHP Slade Cecconi (1-1, 3.27 ERA).