The Angels fell 5-1 to the Diamondbacks on July 13, 2025, after a defensive collapse. Despite a Mike Trout RBI, the team enters the All-Star break under .500.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
So close, yet so far. That’s the feeling as the Los Angeles Angels head into the All-Star break. After taking the first two from the Diamondbacks, a series sweep and a .500 record were within reach. Instead, a sloppy 5-1 loss on Sunday sent the Halos into their mid-season respite at 47-49, leaving fans to chew on a familiar taste of 'what if' for the next few days.
Five runs crossed the plate on José Soriano's watch, but only one of them was earned.
Things started well enough. Mike Trout did what he does best, driving in a run with a single in the third inning to give the Angels a 1-0 lead. But the good feelings were short-lived. The game completely unraveled in a disastrous fourth inning, kicked off by a costly error from third baseman Yoán Moncada. The Diamondbacks pounced, with Jose Herrera's two-run double breaking the game open. By the time the dust settled, Arizona had a four-run inning that decided the game. Starter José Soriano was the victim of the defensive collapse, ultimately charged with five runs (only one earned) over five innings.
The defensive miscue in the fourth was more than just a box score entry; it was a symptom of a larger problem. Moncada, who was recently activated from the injured list, was replaced defensively in the sixth inning due to a flare-up of the knee soreness that had previously sidelined him. His health is now the team's biggest question mark heading into the break. For a team desperate for infield stability and offensive production, another potential IL stint for Moncada would be a significant blow. The All-Star break will be a crucial monitoring period for the third baseman.
The loss drops the Angels to 47-49, cementing their fourth-place position in the AL West as the league pauses for its midsummer classic. While the transaction wire was quiet on Monday, the team's needs are clear. The break offers a moment for the front office to assess its roster and strategy ahead of the trade deadline. For manager Ron Washington, it’s a chance to hit the reset button on a team that has shown flashes of competitiveness but has been consistently undermined by key injuries and defensive lapses.
The All-Star break couldn't have come at a better time. It's a chance for sore knees to heal, for bats to reset, and for Ron Washington and the front office to map out a strategy for the second half. Will they be buyers or sellers at the deadline? Can they find the consistency that has eluded them? The Halos return to action on Friday against a tough Phillies team, and how they come out of the gate will tell us a lot about the direction this season is headed.
