ANAHEIM, Calif.—Gunnar Henderson hit a three-run homer and Grayson Rodriguez pitched six solid innings in the Baltimore Orioles’ 12th victory in 16 games, 6–3 over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night, September4.
Shohei Ohtani missed only his third game of the season for the Angels, who scratched the two-way superstar about an hour before first pitch after he apparently strained his right oblique muscles in batting practice.
About an hour before that, agent Nez Balelo made the first public comments by Ohtani’s camp about the slugger’s torn elbow ligament, confirming Ohtani is determined to continue his career as both a pitcher and hitter.
Austin Hays, Ryan Mountcastle and Aaron Hicks drove in runs in the third inning for the AL-leading Orioles, who have won three of four to open their nine-game trip. Rodriguez (5–3) struck out seven and allowed seven hits while improving to 3–0 in his last five starts, going at least six innings every time.
Kenny Rosenberg (0–1) pitched six innings of seven-hit ball in his second major league start for the Angels, who have lost four straight and 23 of 31 since they were five games above .500 at the trade deadline.
Randal Grichuk and Brandon Drury homered and Mickey Moniak had an RBI double as the Halos returned from getting swept by the majors’ worst team in Oakland to continue playing out the string. Los Angeles acknowledged the inevitability of its ninth consecutive non-playoff season last week by giving away five veterans on waivers.
Michael Stefanic put the Angels ahead in the second by scoring from first on Moniak’s double. Hays tied it with a run-scoring double and scored on Mountcastle’s single before Hicks drove home Mountcastle.
Rosenberg was solid after that Baltimore rally, striking out four. The Cal State Northridge product is in the majors to fill the rotation spots vacated by the injured Ohtani and jettisoned Lucas Giolito, who landed in Cleveland.
Grichuk hit his 13th homer in the fourth, his second since the Angels also put him on waivers Aug. 29. The veteran outfielder went unclaimed.
Henderson hit his 23rd homer in the seventh, capping a two-out rally off Gerardo Reyes. Drury added his 20th homer later in the eighth.
Yennier Cano pitched the ninth for his sixth save. He got help from second baseman Jordan Westburg, who sprinted deep into center field and made a stunning catch on Logan O'Hoppe’s popup with his back to the plate.
