PHOENIX — José Soriano pitched effectively in the ninth inning, Jo Adell hit a three-run home run and the Los Angeles Angels defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-3 on Wednesday night.
The Angels recovered from a 9-4 defeat in the series opener, jumping on Arizona starter Slade Cecconi (1-5) early and often.
Zach Neto hit a solo homer in the second inning and Adell threw his three-run shot during Los Angeles’ four-run fourth inning. Matt Thaiss added a run-scoring double in the sixth inning that was initially ruled a home run before it was overturned upon review.
Neto and Nolan Schanuel each had three of the Angels’ 14 hits
That was more than enough for Soriano (4-5).
The sophomore right-hander was helped by four double plays in the first five innings and didn’t allow a runner past first base until Christian Walker’s home run in the eighth. Ketel Marte followed with a two-run homer off Matt Moore in the ninth inning.
Soriano allowed two runs on five hits, five strikeouts and two walks.
The Angels began throwing balls around Chase Field from the game’s leadoff hitter, scoring seven runs in the first four innings.
Kevin Pillar hit a run-scoring double in the first inning, Willie Calhoun had an RBI single in the third and Luis Rengifo added another with a single in the fourth.
Cecconi allowed seven runs on 10 hits in three innings.
Soriano mixed the highest average fastball in the majors (98.6 mph) with a wicked slider to keep the Diamondbacks off balance.
He held Arizona to three hits until Walker jumped on a 2-0 pitch in the eighth inning and sent it to center for his 13th of the season. The home run was Walker’s 133rd, surpassing Chris Young on the Diamondbacks’ career list.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Angels: C Logan O’Hoppe was cleared to play after taking a ball to the groin in the sixth inning against Arizona on Tuesday night, but manager Ron Washington wanted to give him the day off as a precaution. … LF Taylor Ward was also ruled out of the lineup after leaving Tuesday’s game late with a strained lower back.
NEXT
Los Angels RHP Griffin Canning (2-6, 4.65 ERA) faces Arizona RHP Brandon Pfaadt (2-5, 4.60) in the series finale on Thursday.
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