- Angels set club record with 7th consecutive multi-HR game
- Ward ties franchise mark with 9-game extra-base hit streak
- Kikuchi earns first win after 10 winless starts
- Team HR streak reaches 13 games - longest active in MLB
The Los Angeles Angels continue rewriting franchise history books, defeating Miami 7-4 for their eighth consecutive victory. Taylor Ward's second-inning solo blast - his 15th of the season - sparked an offensive showcase that saw the team homer for the 13th straight game. Jorge Soler joined the power parade with his seventh HR, cementing the Angels' seventh consecutive multi-homer game, a new club record.
Yusei Kikuchi's (1-4) dominant 5.2 scoreless innings proved pivotal, marking the left-hander's first victory in 11 starts this season. The Angels' bullpen weathered late pressure, with Kenley Jansen escaping a bases-loaded jam in the ninth to preserve the win. Miami's Sandy Alcantara (2-7) struggled with command, surrendering five earned runs before exiting in the sixth.
Southern California baseball continues trending upward, with the Angels' surge mirroring the Dodgers' NL West dominance. Industry analysts note the team's 47% increase in barrel rate since May correlates with their 22-9 record during that span. This power surge isn't accidental,noted MLB Network's Mark DeRosa. They're attacking fastballs early in counts better than any team in baseball.
The victory extends Anaheim's remarkable turnaround since May 15, when they sat eight games below .500. Ward's historic production pace (projected 42 HRs) positions him alongside Mike Trout in franchise lore. Catcher Logan O'Hoppe's .387 average with RISP underscores the team's improved situational hitting.
Modern MLB's home run dependency becomes evident in Anaheim's streak - teams with multiple HRs win 68% of games league-wide. However, pitching coach Matt Wise cautions: Power gets headlines, but Kikuchi's sinker command tonight set the tone. You need balance to sustain success.
Saturday's matchup features intriguing pitching contrasts, with Miami's Cal Quantrill (6.47 ERA) facing José Soriano's 97mph heat (3.57 ERA). The Angels seek their first nine-game streak since 2014, potentially signaling a playoff push in the competitive AL West.