ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Alex Cobb allowed only one run in a season-high 7 2/3 innings, David Fletcher extended his hitting streak to 17 games and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-1 Saturday night for their third straight win.
It is the longest outing by an Angels starter since Griffin Canning went eight innings on Aug. 30 last season against Seattle. Cobb (6-3) — who was with the Orioles from 2018-20 before being traded to Los Angeles prior to spring training — allowed four hits and struck out five with only one walk.
The right-hander also gave a lift to a Halos rotation that has struggled. Only one time in the previous six games had a Los Angeles starter made it to at least the fifth inning.
Fletcher’s leadoff single in the first gave him a new career high hitting streak. It also tied him with Houston’s José Altuve (May 5-23) for the longest in the AL this season. Fletcher is batting .388 (26/67) with six doubles and eight RBI’s during his hitting streak.
Major League home run leader Shohei Ohtani, who had gone deep in 11 of 15 games, was 0 for 2 and walked three times, with two being intentional.
Phil Gosselin drove in a pair of runs and Jared Walsh had two hits for the Angels, who are 41-41 with victories in five of their last six games. Raisel Iglesias retired Baltimore in order in the ninth for his 16th save.
Ramón Urías had two hits and Pat Valaika drove in Baltimore’s only run. Jorge López (2-11) was charged with four runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. López, who leads the majors in losses, struck out four and walked four.
The Angels quickly loaded the bases against López on Fletcher’s single and walks to Ohtani and Anthony Rendon. Walsh followed with an RBI on an infield single up the middle and Gosselin’s grounder drove in Ohtani.
Los Angeles extended its lead to 3-0 on Juan Lagares’ RBI double to left-center.
Baltimore responded in the third with a win. Domingo Leyba drew a leadoff walk, advanced to third on Urías ‘ single and scored on Valaika’s grounder.
The Angels added a run in the fifth. Jared Walsh doubled off the left field wall with two outs and scored on Gosselin’s single.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Orioles: LHP John Means (left shoulder strain) will make his first rehab start for High-A Aberdeen on Sunday and is expected to throw two or three innings. … RHP César Valdez (lower back strain) could be ready to rejoin the bullpen either Sunday or early next week.
Angels: RHP Griffin Canning was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake after posting a 7.11 ERA in his last three starts. Manager Joe Maddon said the biggest reason why Canning was sent down was to work on his fastball command. Los Angeles selected the contract of Andrew Wantz, to take Canning’s spot. The right-hander is expected to work out of the bullpen. … OF Justin Upton (right low back strain) is on track to be called up on Sunday after Scott Schebler was designated for assignment.
UP NEXT
Angels LHP Patrick Sandoval (2-2, 3.89 ERA) has won his last two starts after setting a team record with 19 consecutive winless starts to begin his career. He will be opposed by Orioles RHP Thomas Eshelman (0-1, 6.57 ERA), whose only previous appearance against the Angels was in relief in 2019.
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