On a warm Sunday at Citizen's Bank Park in Philadelphia, the Los Angeles Angels showcased a dominant performance to secure an 8-2 victory over the National League East-leading Philadelphia Phillies, clinching the series two games to one. The Angels’ offensive explosion in the second inning set the tone, with key contributions from José Soriano on the mound and Taylor Ward at the plate, while a late injury to first baseman Nolan Schanuel tempered the celebration.
The Angels erupted for five runs in the second inning against Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez, who had been dominant in his previous ten starts with a 1.36 ERA. After a sequence of four consecutive singles loaded the bases, Mike Trout worked a full count and drew a walk that forced in a run. Then, Taylor Ward delivered a crushing three-run double into the left-center gap, clearing the bases and putting the Angels ahead 5-0 early in the game.
Ward’s performance was a highlight of the day, as he not only produced a pivotal double in the second but later added an RBI double in the seventh inning. His four RBIs on the day underscored his role as the offensive spark plug for the Angels this season. Ward leads the team in doubles, home runs, and RBIs in 2025 and ranks among the top hitters in the league, with the seventh-most RBIs across Major League Baseball, just one behind Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber.
Replacing Nolan Schanuel at first base after he was hit by a pitch in the first inning, LaMonte Wade Jr. made an immediate impact. Wade not only filled in defensively but also contributed the Angels’ sole home run of the game, finishing with three hits and a walk. Wade’s all-around offensive production has been a key factor in the Angels’ recent success, and he praised the team’s depth and work ethic, saying, “This is a dangerous lineup, top to bottom. It’s a deep lineup, deep bench. It’s fun to watch. It’s fun to be a part of. Got a lot of guys in here working their butts off. They’ve got good routines, and they’re sticking with them. So it’s good. It’s fun to see this team click like that.”
On the mound, José Soriano delivered a strong outing, pitching seven innings while allowing only two earned runs on six hits and striking out five. Soriano’s ability to induce ground balls was on full display, as he recorded 16 outs on 14 ground balls, including two double plays. He currently leads the majors with 24 ground ball double plays. Soriano’s fastball topped out just below 100 MPH, and he threw the five fastest pitches of the day, according to Baseball Savant. His 93-pitch effort provided much-needed rest for the bullpen, which will be mostly fresh for the upcoming series against the New York Mets.
Despite the Angels’ offensive dominance, the game carried a note of concern as first baseman Nolan Schanuel was removed after being hit by a pitch off the upper left wrist in the first inning. Schanuel immediately showed signs of pain and was diagnosed with a left wrist contusion. X-rays returned negative, but the injury has sidelined him as day to day. Schanuel, who is hitting .274 with eight home runs and 40 RBIs this season, expressed uncertainty about his availability for Monday’s game, stating simply, “It hurts. Went and got an X-ray. Nothing came up, but it just squared me up in a bad spot.”
The Angels’ depth was evident as Wade stepped in seamlessly, and the team’s ability to produce runs without Schanuel was a positive takeaway. Eight different Angels players registered hits in each of the three games of the series, and the team has reached double-digit hits in eight of their last ten games. Over that span, the Angels have hit an impressive .293 with an .859 OPS and a .322 average with runners in scoring position, signaling a lineup that is clicking at the right time.
Interim Angels manager Ray Montgomery praised his team’s resilience and approach, noting, “That’s a really good team. That’s one of the better teams we faced. It’s a tough lineup. Obviously they’re going to be in it right to the end. So I think it speaks volumes about what the guys do and how they step up. We beat the Sunday curse, too, which is nice.” Montgomery also highlighted the team’s patient yet aggressive approach at the plate, especially in the second inning rally, which helped give Soriano a comfortable cushion early on.
For the Phillies, Rafael Marchan drove in a run in the second inning with an RBI single, while Otto Kemp, who has been filling in for the injured Alec Bohm at third base, hit a two-out home run in the sixth inning. However, Kemp’s defensive struggles continued as he committed two errors in the game, bringing his total to three errors in six starts at third base. Kemp has been more reliable at first base and left field, where he has committed only one error in 24 games.
Looking ahead, the Angels will begin a three-game series against the New York Mets on Monday night, with Tyler Anderson (2-6, 4.34 ERA) set to face Mets ace Kodai Senga (7-3, 1.39 ERA). The Phillies will host the Boston Red Sox in a three-game set starting Monday, with Zack Wheeler (9-3, 2.36 ERA) opposing Walker Buehler (6-6, 6.12 ERA).
This victory marks the Angels’ first Sunday win since May 18 and gives them a 49-50 record, inching closer to .500 as they look to build momentum in the second half of the season. With key players like Ward and Wade stepping up and Soriano providing quality starts, the Angels are demonstrating a balanced and patient approach that could make them a dangerous team moving forward—provided they can navigate injury concerns like Schanuel’s and maintain their offensive consistency.
As the trade deadline approaches, Taylor Ward’s standout performance also puts him in the spotlight as a potential trade candidate, balancing his role as both a cornerstone for the Angels and a valuable asset on the market. For now, the team’s focus remains on the road ahead and continuing to build on this encouraging series win over a tough Phillies squad.
