Jo Adell's 23rd homer wasn't enough as the Angels fell 7-3 to the Rays on Aug. 6, 2025. A 7-run inning doomed José Soriano. Read how it all unraveled.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a story Angels fans have seen too many times this season. A promising start, a single inning of pure chaos, and a frustrating finish. The Halos fell to the Tampa Bay Rays 7-3 on Tuesday night, with a disastrous seven-run fourth inning erasing three perfect frames from starter José Soriano and spoiling another stellar night from Jo Adell.
Jo Adell drove in all three of the Angels' runs, hitting his 23rd home run of the year in a lone bright spot for the offense.
For three innings, José Soriano looked untouchable. He was perfect, mowing down the Rays lineup with ease. Then, the fourth inning happened. It was a complete meltdown, as Tampa Bay sent runner after runner to the plate, culminating in seven runs that decided the game. The floodgates opened with a two-run homer by Brandon Lowe (his 20th) and a back-breaking two-run single from Jake Mangum. By the time the dust settled, Soriano's night was over, his record fell to 7-9, and the Angels were in a hole they couldn't dig out of.
If there was one positive to take from the loss, it was the continued excellence of Jo Adell. He single-handedly provided the team's entire offense, launching a two-run homer in the fifth to give the team a spark and adding an RBI single in the sixth. His 23rd home run of the season is a testament to the breakout year he's having, but nights like this are a painful reminder that one player can't do it all.
The Angels had a golden opportunity to climb back into the game in the fifth. Following Adell's homer, the recently activated Christian Moore smacked a double. But the rally came to a screeching halt due to fundamental mistakes on the basepaths. First, Logan O’Hoppe was thrown out at home trying to score from first on the play. Then, Oswald Peraza was caught wandering off first base and doubled off on a lineout to end the threat. It was a sequence that killed all momentum and perfectly encapsulated the team's frustrating night.
The team made a few moves before the game, placing third baseman Yoán Moncada on the restricted list as he commendably takes his U.S. citizenship test. Outfielder Niko Kavadas was recalled from Salt Lake to take his spot. On the injury front, it was great to see reliever Ben Joyce at the stadium. While he won't return until 2026 after shoulder surgery, he confirmed his recovery is on track, offering a sliver of good news for the future of the bullpen.
Now, the Angels face a crucial series finale to avoid dropping another series and to salvage what's left of this 13-game homestand, where they now sit at 6-6. Lefty Tyler Anderson gets the ball, desperately seeking to snap an 18-start winless streak. He'll face the Rays' Shane Baz, who is on a five-start losing streak of his own. It’s a battle of two pitchers needing a win, and for the Angels, it’s a chance to end this homestand on a positive note before hitting the road.
