The Angels' offense scores 9 runs but pitching collapses in a 15-9 loss to the Nationals on June 28. Kyle Hendricks struggles as Brady House leads the Nats.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a night of fireworks at the Big A, but unfortunately for the home crowd, most of them were lit by the Washington Nationals. In a frustratingly familiar script, the Angels' potent offense put up a valiant fight, only to be let down by a pitching staff that simply couldn't get outs when it mattered most, resulting in a deflating 15-9 defeat.
The Nationals set season highs for both hits and runs, a brutal statistic that tells the entire story of the Angels' Saturday night.
The game felt more like a home run derby than a baseball game, with both teams trading blows. But the Nationals landed the knockout punch. Washington's offense exploded, led by Brady House's go-ahead RBI double in the seventh inning. Former Angel Josh Bell and Jacob Young added to the pain, each driving in three runs to fuel the onslaught. Every time the Angels' bats seemed to claw back into it, the Nationals had an immediate and overwhelming answer.
The spotlight once again falls on the mound, and the glare was harsh. Starter Kyle Hendricks continued a difficult 2025 campaign, unable to stymie the Nats' hitters. Coming into the game with a 4.83 ERA, his performance did nothing to lower that number, putting the team in an early hole. The problems didn't stop there. The bullpen, tasked with keeping the game within reach, was just as ineffective, pouring gasoline on a fire that ultimately consumed any hope of an Angels victory.
Here's the frustrating truth of the 2025 Angels: they can mash. Ranking 4th in Major League Baseball in home runs is no small feat. The offense is built to score in bunches, and they did just that on Saturday. But as this game proved in spectacular fashion, you can't win if you're giving up runs even faster. The imbalance between the high-powered bats and the struggling arms is the central challenge of this season, and it's what's keeping a talented team hovering just below .500.
You can't discuss the team's struggles without looking at the lengthy injury report. The Halos are still without key pieces up and down the roster. The absence of Zach Neto (shoulder), Jorge Soler (back), and Yoan Moncada (knee) takes significant pop and consistency out of the lineup, while the bullpen sorely misses the high-leverage arms of Ben Joyce (shoulder) and Victor Gonzalez (undisclosed). These injuries aren't just excuses; they are gaping holes that the team is struggling to patch.
Now sitting at 40-42, the Angels are at a crossroads. The power is undeniable, but the path to a winning record is paved with quality innings and shutdown pitching. Until they can solve the persistent issues on the mound, nights like this—where a powerful offense goes to waste—will continue to be a painful theme. The Halos will need to wash this one away quickly and hope for a much stronger performance from the pitching staff tomorrow to salvage the series.
