Chris Taylor returns, but the Angels fall to the Mets 7-5 on July 23. Despite Taylor's comeback, Pete Alonso and Juan Soto power NY to a series sweep.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was the best of news and the worst of news for Angels fans on Wednesday. The long-awaited return of All-Star Chris Taylor finally arrived, injecting a dose of hope into a lineup that desperately needs it. Unfortunately, that hope wasn't enough to power a victory, as the Halos fell to the New York Mets 7-5, capping a disappointing series sweep and extending their losing streak to three games.
Three straight losses and 10 games behind Houston in the AL West.
The biggest bright spot of the day happened before the first pitch was even thrown. The Angels officially activated Chris Taylor from the injured list, where he's been sidelined for over a month with a broken left hand. After just 10 games in an Angels uniform, his return is a welcome sight. Taylor's versatility and veteran presence are expected to provide a significant boost. To make room on the roster, outfielder Gustavo Campero was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake. Now, the hope is that Taylor can stay healthy and be the sparkplug this team has been missing.
Despite the pre-game optimism, the result on the field felt painfully familiar. The Angels' pitching staff struggled to contain the Mets' potent lineup, with Pete Alonso and Juan Soto doing most of the damage. While the Halos' offense managed to put up five runs, it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit. The 7-5 final score sealed the series sweep for New York and pushed the Angels' record to 49-53, a season-low four games under .500.
Amidst the team's struggles, a few bats remain red-hot. Nolan Schanuel, fresh off a four-hit performance, continued to look comfortable at the plate, keeping his average at a solid .278 with an impressive .367 on-base percentage. Meanwhile, Taylor Ward added to his team-leading totals, launching his 23rd home run and collecting his 76th RBI. Their consistent production is a testament to their talent, but it also highlights the frustrating reality: two players can't carry an entire team.
As the Angels leave New York, they find themselves at a crossroads. The return of Chris Taylor is a massive boost, but the team is now 10 games back in the division and sinking fast. The offense, led by Ward and Schanuel, is showing signs of life, but it won't matter if the pitching can't hold up its end of the bargain. The upcoming series is critical. Can Taylor's return be the catalyst that finally turns the tide, or is this the start of a mid-summer slide that puts the postseason completely out of reach? The next few games will tell us everything.
