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TribeTown · 07-24-2026, 12:02 AM

Angels Sweep Astros After Difficult San Francisco Trip
For much of the past week, the Angels appeared to be losing their grip on the American League playoff race.bA second consecutive series loss in San Francisco left them searching for answers after an offense that had carried them through the first half of July began to cool. But by week's end, the club had responded in emphatic fashion, sweeping the Houston Astros and reminding everyone that they remain very much in the postseason picture.

July 24 — Giants 14, Angels 6
The series opener in San Francisco looked promising early.bFacing former teammate Yusei Kikuchi, Mike Trout launched a three-run home run in the second inning to give the Angels an early lead, and Los Angeles appeared firmly in control with a 5-1 advantage in the fourth. Then the Giants erupted against Clarke Schmidt, who failed to escape the fourth inning, before piling on against Chase Silseth. Silseth recorded only one out while surrendering four runs as San Francisco overwhelmed the Angels in a 14-6 rout.

July 25 — Angels 2, Giants 1
Logan Allen carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and finished with his finest outing of the season, allowing just one hit over seven dominant innings while striking out nine and walking two. Austin Wells provided all the offense Los Angeles needed, blasting a solo home run in the third inning before adding an RBI single in the eighth to provide a valuable insurance run. The victory evened the series and prevented the club from falling further behind in the Wild Card race.

July 26 — Giants 4, Angels 3
The rubber game slipped away late.bGeorge Valera's three-run homer in the fifth inning erased an early deficit and gave Los Angeles a 3-1 lead, but San Francisco answered in the seventh, chasing Reid Detmers after scoring twice to tie the game.nAn inning later, Davis Schneider lined a go-ahead RBI single off Dylan Lee, and the Giants held on to win the series.
It marked the Angels' second consecutive series defeat and left them looking for a spark entering a crucial three-game showdown with Houston.

July 27 — Angels 6, Astros 4
Monday night's marquee matchup featured two veteran left-handers, Shane McClanahan and Chris Sale. By night's end, however, the spotlight belonged to Alex Bregman.bFacing his former club, Bregman went 2-for-3, highlighted by a two-run home run in the third inning before delivering a game-tying RBI single in the seventh. The Angels then scored twice in the eighth to complete an impressive comeback victory.

McClanahan wasn't at his sharpest in his Angels debut, allowing four runs in six innings, but he struck out nine and kept the Angels within striking distance. Meanwhile, top prospect Nelson Rada continued his remarkable rookie campaign with two hits and his 18th stolen base.

July 28 — Angels 7, Astros 2
Nelson Rada supplied one of the most surprising moments of the season. Already contributing with an RBI single, the speedy center fielder stunned nearly everyone at Angel Stadium by driving a three-run home run just inside the right-field foul pole in the fourth inning, turning a close game into a comfortable Angels lead. Angel Martinez added an RBI single in the second inning, Austin Wells continued his torrid stretch with another solo homer in the third, and Los Angeles cruised to its second straight victory.

As impressive as the offense was, the night's biggest story belonged to Brayan Bello.bThe right-hander produced his best start as an Angel, holding Houston to one run over 7⅔ innings. Bello scattered six hits, struck out four and did not issue a walk, dominating one of the American League's deepest lineups.

July 29 — Angels 7, Astros 5
Clarke Schmidt battled through another uneven outing, but the Angels' offense again came to his rescue. After Houston cut into an early lead, Nolan Schanuel broke the game open in the fifth inning, launching a three-run home run off reliever Nate Pearson to give Los Angeles a 7-4 advantage. The bullpen handled the rest.bBen Joyce closed the door in the ninth inning for his 22nd save of the season, securing the Angels' third consecutive victory and a series win over one of their primary Wild Card rivals.

Turning the Tide
What began as a frustrating road trip ended with perhaps the Angels' most significant series victory of the second half. After losing two straight series and watching their playoff hopes begin to wobble, Los Angeles responded by taking three of three from the Astros and closing tonwithin 2 1/2 games of the final wildncard spot. The emergence of Nelson Rada, the continued production from Austin Wells and Alex Bregman, and outstanding starts from Logan Allen and Brayan Bello gave the Angels exactly what they needed at a critical point in the season.bWith Shane McClanahan now anchoring the rotation and the bullpen continuing to stabilize, the Angels have once again positioned themselves to remain firmly in the postseason chase as the trade deadline approaches.

07-24-2026, 12:02 AM	#71
TribeTown All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Garrettsville, Ohio Posts: 725	Angels Sweep Astros After Difficult San Francisco Trip For much of the past week, the Angels appeared to be losing their grip on the American League playoff race.bA second consecutive series loss in San Francisco left them searching for answers after an offense that had carried them through the first half of July began to cool. But by week's end, the club had responded in emphatic fashion, sweeping the Houston Astros and reminding everyone that they remain very much in the postseason picture. July 24 — Giants 14, Angels 6 The series opener in San Francisco looked promising early.bFacing former teammate Yusei Kikuchi, Mike Trout launched a three-run home run in the second inning to give the Angels an early lead, and Los Angeles appeared firmly in control with a 5-1 advantage in the fourth. Then the Giants erupted against Clarke Schmidt, who failed to escape the fourth inning, before piling on against Chase Silseth. Silseth recorded only one out while surrendering four runs as San Francisco overwhelmed the Angels in a 14-6 rout. July 25 — Angels 2, Giants 1 Logan Allen carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and finished with his finest outing of the season, allowing just one hit over seven dominant innings while striking out nine and walking two. Austin Wells provided all the offense Los Angeles needed, blasting a solo home run in the third inning before adding an RBI single in the eighth to provide a valuable insurance run. The victory evened the series and prevented the club from falling further behind in the Wild Card race. July 26 — Giants 4, Angels 3 The rubber game slipped away late.bGeorge Valera's three-run homer in the fifth inning erased an early deficit and gave Los Angeles a 3-1 lead, but San Francisco answered in the seventh, chasing Reid Detmers after scoring twice to tie the game.nAn inning later, Davis Schneider lined a go-ahead RBI single off Dylan Lee, and the Giants held on to win the series. It marked the Angels' second consecutive series defeat and left them looking for a spark entering a crucial three-game showdown with Houston. July 27 — Angels 6, Astros 4 Monday night's marquee matchup featured two veteran left-handers, Shane McClanahan and Chris Sale. By night's end, however, the spotlight belonged to Alex Bregman.bFacing his former club, Bregman went 2-for-3, highlighted by a two-run home run in the third inning before delivering a game-tying RBI single in the seventh. The Angels then scored twice in the eighth to complete an impressive comeback victory. McClanahan wasn't at his sharpest in his Angels debut, allowing four runs in six innings, but he struck out nine and kept the Angels within striking distance. Meanwhile, top prospect Nelson Rada continued his remarkable rookie campaign with two hits and his 18th stolen base. July 28 — Angels 7, Astros 2 Nelson Rada supplied one of the most surprising moments of the season. Already contributing with an RBI single, the speedy center fielder stunned nearly everyone at Angel Stadium by driving a three-run home run just inside the right-field foul pole in the fourth inning, turning a close game into a comfortable Angels lead. Angel Martinez added an RBI single in the second inning, Austin Wells continued his torrid stretch with another solo homer in the third, and Los Angeles cruised to its second straight victory. As impressive as the offense was, the night's biggest story belonged to Brayan Bello.bThe right-hander produced his best start as an Angel, holding Houston to one run over 7⅔ innings. Bello scattered six hits, struck out four and did not issue a walk, dominating one of the American League's deepest lineups. July 29 — Angels 7, Astros 5 Clarke Schmidt battled through another uneven outing, but the Angels' offense again came to his rescue. After Houston cut into an early lead, Nolan Schanuel broke the game open in the fifth inning, launching a three-run home run off reliever Nate Pearson to give Los Angeles a 7-4 advantage. The bullpen handled the rest.bBen Joyce closed the door in the ninth inning for his 22nd save of the season, securing the Angels' third consecutive victory and a series win over one of their primary Wild Card rivals. Turning the Tide What began as a frustrating road trip ended with perhaps the Angels' most significant series victory of the second half. After losing two straight series and watching their playoff hopes begin to wobble, Los Angeles responded by taking three of three from the Astros and closing tonwithin 2 1/2 games of the final wildncard spot. The emergence of Nelson Rada, the continued production from Austin Wells and Alex Bregman, and outstanding starts from Logan Allen and Brayan Bello gave the Angels exactly what they needed at a critical point in the season.bWith Shane McClanahan now anchoring the rotation and the bullpen continuing to stabilize, the Angels have once again positioned themselves to remain firmly in the postseason chase as the trade deadline approaches.