Angels crush Astros 9-1 on June 22, 2025, as José Soriano strikes out 10 and Logan O'Hoppe hits two homers. Read how the young stars led the charge.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Now *that's* the kind of baseball we've been waiting for. In a Sunday matinee that had everything, the Los Angeles Angels didn't just beat the Houston Astros; they dismantled them 9-1. It was a complete team effort powered by two of the franchise's brightest young stars: José Soriano, who looked untouchable on the mound, and Logan O'Hoppe, who emphatically broke out of a power slump at the plate.
José Soriano has allowed just two runs over his last three starts, spanning 20⅔ innings with a staggering 28 strikeouts.
Let's start with the man on the mound, because José Soriano is pitching like a bona fide ace. Facing a potent Astros lineup, Soriano was simply electric. He carved through them for 6⅔ innings, racking up 10 strikeouts while allowing just a single run. This wasn't a fluke; it's a trend. Soriano has now gone 11 consecutive starts without giving up a home run, a streak dating back to April 22. His recent three-start stretch is the stuff of legends: a minuscule 0.87 ERA with 28 punchouts in 20⅔ innings. We're not just watching a good pitcher; we're watching the emergence of a true stopper for this rotation.
While Soriano was dealing, the offense needed a spark, and Logan O'Hoppe brought the fireworks. After going a frustrating month without a home run, the young catcher blasted not one, but two two-run homers. His first shot in the third inning gave the Angels a comfortable lead, and his second in the seventh was the exclamation point. These weren't just any home runs; they were his 15th and 16th of the season, reminding everyone of the game-changing power he possesses. Seeing O'Hoppe's confidence return at the plate is a massive development for this lineup.
It wasn't just the two headliners. The entire offense clicked. Luis Rengifo added his fourth homer of the year, and Taylor Ward chipped in with a crucial two-run double. Even with the news that slugger Jorge Soler was placed on the 10-day injured list, the offense didn't miss a beat. His absence led to the recall of Gustavo Campero from Triple-A Salt Lake, who made his debut in the game. While Campero went hitless, the victory proved the Angels have the depth to overcome injuries and get contributions from up and down the order. Seeing Mike Trout and Nolan Schanuel each cross the plate twice shows the top of the order is doing its job setting the table.
This was more than just one win; it was a glimpse of the future. With Soriano pitching like a Cy Young candidate and O'Hoppe providing middle-of-the-order thump, the Angels have a young core to build around. The challenge, as always, is consistency. Can they bottle this energy and carry it forward? With Soler sidelined, the team will need players like Rengifo and Ward to continue contributing. Sunday's game was a statement, and now the Halos have to prove it's the new standard.
