Adell's bat lifts the Angels over the Mariners

ANAHEIM, Calif.-- After the Angels won with a walk-off by Willie Calhoun on Friday night in extra innings, Jo Adell's single to center field in the second inning allowed him to bring in the only runs, leading to the Angels' 2-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday night at Angel Stadium.

Adell was a standout player of the night, going 2-for-3 with a single and a double. His performance not only brought in the only runs of the game but also boosted his batting average to .188.

Jose Soriano, in his 15th game this season for the Angels, pitched a solid six innings. Despite giving up five hits and four walks, he managed to limit the Mariners to just one run. His 87 pitches on the night resulted in five strikeouts, showcasing his effectiveness on the mound. Soriano's season ERA stands at 3.71.

Soriano leads the majors (min. 80 IP) with an average fastball velocity of 98.9 MPH this season.

Seattle's George Kirby threw six innings, allowing three hits, two walks, and one run while striking out seven batters.

Kirby only allowed one run after throwing 58 strikes out of the 92 thrown on the night. Kirby's record is now 7-7 with a 3.29 ERA.

The Mariners scored their only run on a RBI single by Jose Rodriguez in the first inning. J.P. Crawford went 0-for-3, lowering his batting average to .209.

Against the Angels' pitching, Victor Robles had three hits in four at-bats and was the only Mariners player to reach base more than once. The Mariners' middle lineup went 0-for-16 in the game.

In the top of the seventh, Angels' pitcher Ben Joyce allowed a lead-off double in a one-run game. However, he managed to strike out the side after giving up the hit, ultimately escaping the inning without allowing any runs. 

Notably, Joyce threw the fastest pitch in the majors this season, clocking in at 104.5MPH. Additionally, out of the 252 pitches he has thrown this season, 112 of them have exceeded 100MPH.

"He threw 103 pitches to Robles and he hit it in the gap," Angels manager Ron Washington said. "After that, you saw nothing but sinkers, and he got out of the inning."

Washington discussed the effectiveness of Joyce's sinker pitch after the game.

Joyce discussed his trust and decision-making when he is on the mound, as well as his pitch rotation.

"It's been great. I feel like every time I'm out there, I get more confident and comfortable," Joyce said after the game.

The Angels' pitchers held the Mariners scoreless after giving up an early run in the first inning. Carlos Estévez sealed the victory by pitching the ninth inning and notching his 17th save of the season. In recognition of his outstanding performance in June, Estévez was named the A.L. Reliever of the Month, marking the first time an Angel has achieved this honor since Raisel Iglesias in July 2021.

Over the last 14 games, Estévez has earned nine saves, one win, and has allowed just four base runners.

The Angels are just two wins away from achieving their 5,000th regular-season victory in franchise history.

They are wrapping up a four-game series against the Mariners on Sunday afternoon with a bullpen pitcher, Washington stated after the game. The Mariners will start right-hander Logan Gilbert (6-5, 2.94 ERA).