WEST SACRAMENTO — When Hayden Birdsong started on the mound for the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday, the Angels stood alone in the majors.
Birdsong became the sixth starter of the season for the Giants, leaving the Angels as the only team in the majors that has still used only five starters. Every other team has had to replace at least one starter because of injury or ineffectiveness.
It’s a subtle achievement that demonstrates that the Angels have gotten better work out of the rotation than they did last season, although that’s a low bar to surpass.
Last season the Angels ranked 28th in the majors with a 4.97 rotation ERA. Heading into Wednesday’s game, the Angels ranked 19th, with a 3.99 rotation ERA. Since April 29, they have a 3.23 rotation ERA.
They also rank 15th in the majors in rotation innings. Their starters have completed five innings in 41 games, which is tied for the third-most in the majors. They’ve completed six innings 22 times, which is tied for ninth.
“I think they have performed well,” Manager Ron Washington said. “We’ve certainly been getting innings out of them. Now we’re starting to get them into the sixth and seventh inning, and it’s been taking a lot of pressure off the bullpen.”
The bullpen has been the problem.
Angels relievers have a 6.82 ERA, which is dead last in the majors. Much of that has been when some of the relievers they’ve tried when trailing have let games get away.
The Angels are 12-2 when leading after seven innings and 16-0 when leading after eight.
Washington believes the bullpen will get even better as the starters continue to get better.
“When you can get at least six innings, or when you can get 6⅔ or seven innings, oh it’s like a dream night,” Washington said.
TROUT UPDATE
Mike Trout ran on the field for the second time in three days, estimating that he was up to about 80% of full speed by the end.
Trout, who has been out since April 30 with a bone bruise in his left knee, still has to run the bases before he can be cleared to play. The three-time American League MVP said on Tuesday he hopes that is coming “soon.”
MONCADA SITS
Yoán Moncada was not in the lineup, a day after his three-run homer sparked the Angels to a victory. Moncada has a .911 OPS with four home runs and 12 RBIs in 13 games since coming off the injured list, and Washington said he has a positive impact throughout the lineup because of how many pitches he sees.
Still, Washington chose to give him the day off on Wednesday.
Washington put Tim Anderson at second base and moved Luis Rengifo to third. Moncada had three homers in five career at-bats against A’s starter J.P. Sears. When Washington was asked about those numbers, he said: “How long ago was that?” Told the numbers were from 2022 and 2023, Washington said: “What are we at, 2025? He hasn’t played in two years.”
Washington also gave first baseman Nolan Schanuel the day off, instead starting Kevin Newman at first. Schanuel is a left-handed hitter, and Sears is a lefty.
NOTES
Outfielder Kyren Paris drew two walks in a game for the first time since March 31 on Tuesday night. He also poked a single into right field. Washington acknowledged that both could be a signs of Paris emerging from a slump that has lasted more than a month. “If he started (hitting the ball to right field) a little more often, I think things might turn around for him,” Washington said. …
Zach Neto scored a run in five straight games heading into Wednesday’s game, which equaled the longest streak of his career.
UP NEXT
Angels (LHP Tyler Anderson, 2-1, 3.04 ERA) at Athletics (RHP Luis Severino, 1-4, 4.22 ERA), Thursday, 12:35 p.m., FDSN West, 830 AM