The Seattle Mariners defeated the Los Angeles Angels 4-2 on July 25, 2025, as homers from Rodríguez & Arozarena spoiled Yusei Kikuchi's start. Read more.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a familiar, frustrating story at the Big A on Friday night. Despite flashes of promise, the Los Angeles Angels were once again haunted by the long ball, falling 4-2 to the division-rival Seattle Mariners. The loss drops the Halos to 49-54, further muddying the waters as the trade deadline looms and the team struggles to find consistent footing.
The Angels became the fourth team in MLB to reach 150 home runs this season, yet sit five games below .500 at 49-54.
Starter Yusei Kikuchi looked sharp through four innings, but the fifth inning proved to be his undoing. A solo blast from Julio Rodríguez followed by a two-run shot from Randy Arozarena erased the Angels' early efforts. Kikuchi finished with a respectable line of 5.0 IP, 6 K, and 2 BB, but the two home runs were the daggers. The Mariners added another solo homer off reliever José Fermin in the 8th, putting the game just out of reach. The Angels' offense couldn't muster enough firepower, with a 7th-inning RBI single from Zach Neto being one of the few highlights.
The day wasn't all bad news. The Angels welcomed veteran Chris Taylor back from the 10-day injured list after a stint sidelined with a hamstring strain. His defensive versatility and experienced bat are a much-needed addition to the roster. To make room, infielder Gustavo Campero was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake. While Taylor's return didn't immediately spark a win, his presence lengthens a lineup that has been searching for depth.
Perhaps the biggest boost for fans came from off the field. Superstar Mike Trout posted a workout video to his Instagram, showing significant progress in his rehab from a nagging calf strain. His caption, 'Grinding to get back,' sent a wave of optimism through the fanbase. Meanwhile, down on the farm, the future looks bright. Top catching prospect Edgar Quero smashed his 14th home run for the Salt Lake Bees. The 22-year-old is now slashing an impressive .292/.374/.510, making a strong case for a September call-up.
The Angels' season paradox was on full display Friday. The team reached a significant milestone, becoming just the fourth club in MLB to hit 150 home runs this season. Yet, that power hasn't translated into wins, as evidenced by their 49-54 record. With the trade deadline fast approaching, the front office remained quiet today. The question for management is whether to buy, sell, or stand pat as they try to solve the riddle of a power-hitting team that can't seem to out-slug its pitching woes.
The Angels will look to bounce back and even the series on Saturday with Tyler Anderson taking the mound. It’s another critical start as the team desperately needs to string together wins to stay relevant. With Trout inching closer to a return and the trade deadline forcing decisions, the next week could very well define the remainder of the Angels' 2025 season.
