José Soriano’s poor start begins awful night for Angels’ pitchers
Soriano gives up four runs and records just five outs, walking two batters and hitting two. Relievers José Suarez, José Cisnero and Carson Fulmer each allow at least three more runs in a 16-5 loss, the Angels' eighth in their last nine games.
Angels manager Ron Washington, left, replaces starting pitcher José Soriano during the second inning of their game against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night at Angel Stadium. Soriano allowed four runs on three hits and three walks and hit two batters in his 1-2/3 innings. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Jo Adell, left, is handed an electronic halo after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning of their game against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night at Angel Stadium. Matt Thaiss also scored. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Angels starting pitcher José Soriano throws against the Minnesota Twins during the second inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 27, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Chris Paddack throws during the first inning of the team’s baseball game against the Angels, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Angels starting pitcher Jose Soriano throws during the first inning of the team’s baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Minnesota Twins’ Ryan Jeffers gestures after hitting a single against the Angels during the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Angels center fielder Mike Trout fields a ground ball hit by the Minnesota Twins’ Trevor Larnach during the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Minnesota Twins’ Carlos Santana scores a run in front of Angels catcher Matt Thaiss during the second inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 27, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Angels starting pitcher José Soriano reacts fate giving up a run against against the Minnesota Twins during the second inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 27, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Angels starting pitcher Jose Soriano throws to a Minnesota Twins batter during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Angels manager Ron Washington, left, replaces starting pitcher José Soriano during the second inning of their game against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night at Angel Stadium. Soriano allowed four runs on three hits and three walks and hit two batters in his 1-2/3 innings. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Angels starting pitcher José Soriano walks to the dugout after getting replaced during the second inning against Minnesota Twins at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 27, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Angels relief pitcher José Suarez throws against the Minnesota Twins after replacing pitcher José Soriano #59 during the second inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 27, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Twins’ Ryan Jeffers gestures to his dugout to ask for a replay after getting called out at third base against Angels third baseman Luis Rengifo at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 27, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Chris Paddack throws against the Angels during the first inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 27, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Luis Rengifo slides into third base safely running from first base on a base hit by Nolan Schanuel as Minnesota Twins third baseman Kyle Farmer takes the late throw during the second inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 27, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Matt Thaiss runs after hitting a single against the Minnesota Twins during the second inning of a game Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Angels’ Jo Adell hits a two-run home run during the second inning of their game against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Jo Adell gestures while running the bases on a two-run home run against the Minnesota Twins during the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. Matt Thaiss also scored. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Angels’ Luis Rengifo, left, is checked on by Manager Ron Washington, right, and a trainer during the second inning of the Angels’ baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Angels relief pitcher Jose Suarez throws during the second inning of their game against the Minnesota Twins, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Minnesota Twins’ Carlos Santana is congratulated in the dugout after scoring against the Angels during the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Minnesota Twins’ Willi Castro is congratulated after scoring against the Angels during the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Angels’ Jo Adell runs after hitting an RIB single against the Minnesota Twins during the third inning on Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Angels designated hitter Aaron Hicks, left, celebrates with Manager Ron Washington after scoring against the Minnesota Twins during the third inning on Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Minnesota Twins’ Max Kepler, right, celebrates his solo home run with third base coach Tommy Watkins during the sixth inning of a game against the Angels, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Minnesota Twins’ Max Kepler, right, is congratulated by Willi Castro (50) and Carlos Santana (30) after hitting a solo home run against the Angels during the sixth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 27, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Twins’ Carlos Santana, left, celebrates his three-run home run with third base coach Tommy Watkins during the fourth inning of the team’s game against the Angels, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. Trevor. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Minnesota Twins’ Carlos Santana gestures while running the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Angels during the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Minnesota Twins’ Carlos Santana, left, is congratulated by teammate Willi Castro in the dugout after hitting a three-run home run against the Angels during the fourth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 27, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Zach Neto loses his helmet while running to first base after grounding out to Minnesota Twins shortstop Willi Castro during the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Angels catcher Matt Thaiss catches a late throw as the Minnesota Twins’ Alex Kirilloff scores a run during the seventh inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 27, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Twins’ Ryan Jeffers, left, congratulates Kyle Farmer after he scored a run against the Angels during the second inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 27, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM — José Soriano gave plenty of reason for optimism about his potential as a major league starter in his previous outing, but he provided reason for caution in this one.
Soriano was clearly out of sorts from the moment he took the mound in the Angels’ 16-5 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night.
He walked three and hit two on his way to allowing four runs, recording just five outs.
“It’s one of those days you don’t feel yourself,” Soriano said through an interpreter. “You try to throw pitches in the zone and it’s not working.”
The early deficit left the Angels to turn to a couple of their struggling relievers, just to get through some innings, and the deficit only grew. José Suarez gave up three runs in 1⅓ innings and then José Cisnero allowed three runs, while getting only two outs. Carlos Fulmer then got them 10 outs, but he eventually gave up four runs.
Outfielder Aaron Hicks pitched the ninth inning, allowing two more runs.
It added up to the Angels’ third straight loss, and their eighth in the last nine games. The Angels (10-17) have not finished an inning with a lead in any of those eight losses.
Although the starters have mostly kept them in games, they haven’t been able to outmatch the slow starting offense. In this game the offense couldn’t keep up with the poor pitching.
His control was missing from the outset. Soriano walked Alex Kirilloff, the first hitter of the game, on six pitches. He then fell behind Edouard Julien, 3-and-0, before allowing a single. Soriano then hit Ryan Jeffers with a pitch, loading the bases.
Although Soriano managed to escape with just one run scoring, he came out in the second and continued struggling. He hit a batter, walked a batter and gave up two hits.
“Just couldn’t command the fastball,” Manager Ron Washington said. “He fell behind. He was able to land some breaking stuff, but that’s the only thing he threw up there that he was able to land with any consistency. That’s the really the first time … that I saw him that much out of whack.”
Things got even uglier after he left, because Suarez continued his nightmarish start to the season.
Suarez allowed the first five batters he faced to get hits. He managed an out because the Angels threw out a runner at third to end the second inning.
Including an awful outing on Wednesday, Suarez allowed 11 out of 12 hitters to reach base.
Suarez now has a 10.13 ERA in 16 innings over nine games. He is out of options, so the Angels can’t send him to Triple-A. They believe that he’d be claimed if they placed him on waivers because he’s 26, left-handed and showed something when posting a 3.86 ERA over 207⅓ major league innings in 2021 and 2022.
“All we can do is keep running him out there,” said Washington, explaining that the Angels are not ready to give up on him.
