The Angels' win streak ended in a 3-2 loss to the Mariners on June 8, 2025, as George Kirby's 14 strikeouts overpowered a Taylor Ward homer. Read the recap.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
All good things must come to an end, and for the Los Angeles Angels, their five-game winning streak met a buzzsaw named George Kirby on Sunday. Despite a powerful blast from Taylor Ward, the Halos' bats were silenced in a frustrating 3-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners. But with the struggling Oakland Athletics coming to town, the Angels have an immediate chance to wash away the bitter taste of defeat and start a new run, beginning tonight.
The Angels struck out 18 times in the loss, which snapped their five-game winning streak.
Sunday's matinee was a classic pitcher's duel, but unfortunately, the Angels were on the wrong side of it. Mariners ace George Kirby was simply untouchable, racking up a career-high 14 strikeouts over seven masterful innings. The Halos' lineup couldn't solve him, managing just two hits against the right-hander. Starter Tyler Anderson battled, but giving up three runs in 4.2 innings was enough for the Mariners to secure the win. Even a historic day for Mike Trout, who tied records for total bases and runs scored against Seattle, wasn't enough to overcome the team's 18 total strikeouts.
The lone bright spot in an otherwise frustrating offensive day came from the bat of Taylor Ward. In the fourth inning, Ward crushed a two-run homer, his team-leading 18th of the season, accounting for all of the Angels' offense. While his average has dipped recently, his power has not. With 18 homers and 45 RBIs, Ward ranks among the league's best and remains the most critical run-producer in the lineup. His ability to change the game with one swing keeps the Angels in contention, even on days when the rest of the bats are quiet.
There's no time to dwell on the loss. The Angels (30-34) welcome the AL West's last-place Oakland Athletics (26-41) for a three-game set starting Monday night. This series presents a perfect get-right opportunity. Yusei Kikuchi (1-5, 3.23 ERA) gets the ball for the Halos, looking for his second win of the season against Oakland's Jeffrey Springs (5-4, 4.66 ERA). After a tough loss, bouncing back strong against a divisional opponent is crucial for the Angels to regain momentum and continue their climb in the standings.
The sting of a snapped winning streak is never fun, especially one punctuated by 18 strikeouts. But the beauty of baseball is the chance for immediate redemption. Tonight's series opener against the Athletics is a prime opportunity for the Angels to shake off Sunday's frustration and start a new streak. All eyes will be on Yusei Kikuchi to set the tone and for the offense, led by the powerful Taylor Ward, to get back to its winning ways.
