Kyle Hendricks earns his 100th career win as the Angels edge the Mariners 5-4 on June 7, 2025. A dominant bullpen performance secured the milestone victory.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It wasn't just another Friday night at the Big A. It was a night for the history books. Veteran Kyle Hendricks, 'The Professor,' battled his way to his 100th career victory in a tense 5-4 win over the division-rival Seattle Mariners. While Hendricks grinded on the mound, it was a combination of timely hitting and a lights-out bullpen that ultimately slammed the door shut, giving the Angels a much-needed win and a reason to celebrate.
The Angels bullpen was stellar as Ryan Zeferjahn, Reid Detmers, and Kenley Jansen combined for three scoreless innings of relief.
Kyle Hendricks didn't have his sharpest stuff, but he showed the heart of a champion. Over six innings, he allowed four runs on eight hits, but he did what veterans do: he kept his team in the game. Earning win No. 100 is a massive career achievement, a testament to his consistency and craft over the years. While the box score might not look dominant, getting that 'W' is all that matters, and the dugout and fans were thrilled to celebrate the milestone with him.
Holding a slim one-run lead against a tough divisional opponent is where games are won or lost, and the Angels' bullpen was the difference-maker. The trio of Ryan Zeferjahn, Reid Detmers, and Kenley Jansen was simply untouchable. Zeferjahn breezed through the seventh, Detmers overpowered hitters in the eighth, and the unflappable Kenley Jansen came in for a perfect ninth to lock down his 13th save. It was a masterclass in relief pitching and the biggest reason Hendricks could celebrate his 100th win.
The victory was truly a team effort. The offense provided the key blows when it mattered most. Travis d'Arnaud got the scoring started with a two-run homer that also brought Jorge Soler around. But the decisive moment came in the fifth inning. With the game on the line, Chris Taylor ripped an RBI double to score Jo Adell, and Nolan Schanuel immediately followed with an RBI single to bring Taylor home. That one-two punch proved to be the game-winning sequence, a perfect example of manufacturing runs.
With the emotional win behind them, the Angels (29-33) have a golden opportunity to build some real momentum. They'll face the same Mariners team tonight at Angel Stadium, with first pitch at 9:38 PM. Winning this series against the second-place Mariners could be a huge step in climbing the AL West standings. Can the Halos ride the wave from Friday's milestone victory and do it again? All eyes will be on Anaheim tonight.
