BALTIMORE — Reid Detmers gave the Angels some much-needed efficiency in a 4-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, allowing one run in five innings to help Los Angeles sweep the season opener.
The Angels were outscored 24-7 in their first two games against Baltimore, which set up a team meeting after Saturday’s 13-4 loss. Then Detmers (1-0) took the mound and silenced the Orioles, and Los Angeles scored two runs in each of the first two innings.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer to open the scoring, and even though Tyler Wells (0-1) got through six innings — and didn’t allow a baserunner after the second — the damage was done.
Detmers gave up two hits, struck out seven and walked three. Jose Soriano pitched three innings, and Carlos Estevez pitched a perfect ninth for his first save.
Up 2-0 against the Angels, Luis Rengifo and Logan Ohope started the second at singles. After one out, Zach Neto hit an RBI single and the runners advanced to second and third on Anthony Rendon’s deep fly.
Then shortstop James McCann tried to pick off Ohope at third, but the ball hit the runner and went past the bag on an error, allowing Ohope to score.
Gunnar Henderson drew a bases-loaded walk with two outs in the bottom of the second, but Detmers was able to get out of the game when Adly Rutschmann grounded out.
Henderson had two on and one out in the seventh against Soriano, but hit a routine grounder that lined Adley Rutschman to left.
While they have dominated the first two games, the Orioles have questions about the depth of their pitching staff with starters Kyle Bradish and John Means on the injured list. Wells struggled early but finished with seven strikeouts and a walk. He allowed three earned runs and five hits.
Coach room
Orioles: Means (left arm strain) made his first rehab start at Triple-A Norfolk and allowed seven runs, six hits and two walks with two strikeouts in one-plus innings.
Next
The Angels head to Miami for a three game series. Chase Silseth will start for Los Angeles against Max Meyer on Monday.
Baltimore hosts a three-game set with Kansas City. Dean Kramer will take the mound for the Orioles on Monday night with Michael Wacha.
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