They are 47-49 and nine games behind the Houston Astros in the American League West but only four games out of a wild-card spot, fueling a belief in their clubhouse and among the most optimistic of their fans that they can end MLB’s longest active playoff drought of 10 years.

“There’s still a lot of time left to do something crazy,” veteran catcher Travis d’Arnaud said. “I’ve been a part of a team that was under .500 at the trade deadline and won the World Series, so anything can happen.”

This is true. The Atlanta Braves were 51-54 and five games back in the National League East at the deadline in 2021 but went 37-19 over the final two months to finish 88-73 and win the division by 6½ games.

Atlanta went on to beat the Milwaukee Brewers and Dodgers in the playoffs and the Astros in a six-game World Series in which the Angels’ current right fielder – Jorge Soler – hit three homers and had six RBIs to win MVP honors.

But those Braves had established stars in Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson, rising stars in Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies, two top-tier starting pitchers in Charlie Morton and Max Fried and a deep and seasoned bullpen.

And they were aggressive at the deadline after star right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. suffered a season-ending knee injury on July 10, acquiring veteran outfielders Adam Duvall, Joc Pederson, Eddie Rosario and Soler, all of whom made significant contributions down the stretch and in October.

Could this Angels team be two or three players away from making a similar run?

“I think we have what it takes now,” said d’Arnaud, a reserve catcher on the 2021 Braves. “I mean, we’re in every game. We’ve beaten good teams.”

Angels veteran pitcher Kyle Hendricks, who won a World Series with the Chicago Cubs in 2016, agrees.

“We know we have everything we need in this clubhouse,” he said. “When we play our brand of baseball, play fundamentally sound and don’t make mistakes, we can beat anybody. We’ve seen that. We’ve proven it.”

This is also true. The Angels swept a three-game series from the defending champion Dodgers in Chavez Ravine to spark an eight-game win streak in May. They won three of four games in Yankee Stadium in mid-June, part of a stretch in which they won seven of 10 against the Yankees, Astros and Boston Red Sox.

In many ways, they have outperformed expectations after losing a franchise-record 99 games last season, but as they say in sports, you are what your record says you are.

The Angels have hovered around .500 all season because they have been unable to sustain the kind of play that propelled them during those hot streaks.

They have decent but not dominant starting pitching, an improved but still relatively thin bullpen and an all-or-nothing lineup that ranks fifth in baseball in home runs (139) but second in strikeouts (927) and 26th in walks (279). The defense is spotty. They’re 18-11 in one-run games but have a run differential of minus-62.

The flip side to those hot streaks are stretches in which the Angels lost 10 of 12 games against Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Seattle and Detroit in late April and early May and seven of eight against Miami, the Yankees and Cleveland in late May and early June.

The Angels would need significant upgrades to their rotation, bullpen and lineup to be championship-caliber, but in a weakened AL, they could sneak into the playoffs with 85-86 wins. The current sixth seed, the Seattle Mariners, are on pace to win 86 games.

“We’re seeing that with the third wild-card spot now, teams with lower records having a chance to make the playoffs,” Hendricks said. “And once you get in the tournament, it’s whoever is the hottest.”

How the Angels play over the next two weeks will determine whether they add players or sell veterans on expiring contracts such as closer Kenley Jansen, pitcher Tyler Anderson and infielder Luis Rengifo.

The word “rebuild” is not in owner Arte Moreno’s vocabulary, so if the Angels remain in the hunt, they will look to add before the deadline, though their thin farm system will make it tough to acquire star-caliber players.

What the Angels can’t afford is to make the same mistake they made in 2023, when they won eight of nine in late July to move to within three games of a wild-card spot.

First, the Angels announced they would not trade free-agent-to-be Shohei Ohtani, who would have netted a huge haul of young major-leaguers and prospects. Then they traded their top pitching and catching prospects for pitchers Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez and dealt two more prospects for first baseman C.J. Cron and outfielder Randal Grichuk.

The Angels opened August with seven straight losses to fall out of contention, and by the end of a month in which they went 8-19, they placed all those trade deadline acquisitions on waivers.

“We’ve been in this position before, in 2023, right?” Angels interim manager Ray Montgomery said. “We were still in the hunt, but the difference was, we had numerous injuries, and we were probably playing above our skis.

“I don’t think we’re playing above our skis now because I’ve seen what we’ve done, I know when we take care of what we need to do we can play with anybody. With a couple of breaks here and there, maybe a couple of better decisions by me, we’re a couple games over .500 easily.”

HOW THEY GOT HERE: The Angels lost two of their best hitters to injuries for a month – Mike Trout in May and Yoán Moncada in June – but the emergence of Jo Adell (.243, .800 OPS, 19 home runs, 54 RBIs) and the consistent production of cleanup man Taylor Ward (.224, .765 OPS, 21 homers, 65 RBIs) and leadoff man Zach Neto (.279, .818 OPS, 15 homers, 35 RBIs) have helped keep them afloat amid a season marked by up-and-down stretches. All-Star left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (4-6. 3.11 ERA) has been a rotation rock, and hard-throwing right-hander Jose Soriano (6-7, 3.90 ERA) has shown flashes of dominance. Veteran closer Kenley Jansen (3.38 ERA, 16 for 17 in save opportunities) and left-handers Reid Detmers (1.24 ERA over his past 28 games) and Brock Burke (4-1, 3.65 ERA in 44 games) have steadied a bullpen that went from having a major league-worst 7.06 ERA in mid-May to a 5.02 ERA – the 17th best in baseball – at the break.

SECOND HALF PREVIEW

KEYS TO SUCCESS: Trout, a three-time American League MVP, has been solid since returning from a knee injury in late-May, batting .283 with a .911 OPS, eight homers and 23 RBIs in 41 games, but he needs to be more of a force at the plate. A return to right field, which would improve the defense and free up DH at-bats for Soler and others, would also help. Tyler Anderson (2-6, 4.34 ERA) and Kyle Hendricks (5-6, 4.88 ERA) need to provide more quality starts, and a replacement must be found for Jack Kochanowicz, who was demoted to Triple-A with a major league-worst 6.03 ERA last week. A return of right-hander Robert Stephenson would be a huge boost to a bullpen that seems one injury away from disaster. Stephenson looked dominant in his first appearance after returning from elbow surgery in late May but returned to the injured list because of a stretched nerve in his right biceps shortly thereafter.

BIGGEST CONCERNS: Moncada returned from a right knee injury in early July but admitted he is not 100%. The switch-hitter has not been able to hit from the right side, and his lack of mobility has been costly in the field – one of his two errors led to four unearned runs in Sunday’s 5-1 loss to Arizona. There are no obvious in-house choices to replace Kochanowicz, so General Manager Perry Minasian will likely need to fill his rotation spot from the outside. Catcher Logan O’Hoppe has regressed badly at the plate since his hot start, when he hit .294 with a .902 OPS, nine homers and 16 RBIs in his first 29 games. O’Hoppe hit .191 with a .572 OPS, eight homers, 21 RBIs, 62 strikeouts and eight walks in his last 48 games. Travis d’Arnaud (.305, .944 OPS, five homers, 13 RBIs in 18 games since June 3) should play more, but the Angels need to be careful not to wear down the 36-year-old backup catcher.

TRADE POSSIBILITIES: If they remain in the hunt, the Angels could pursue veteran starting pitchers such as Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly (Arizona), Andrew Heaney (Pittsburgh), Germán Márquez (Colorado) and Aaron Civale (Chicago White Sox). Relievers such as Dennis Santana and David Bednar (Pittsburgh), Jake Bird (Colorado), Kyle Finnegan (Washington) and Shelby Miller (Arizona) would be attractive trade targets. Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez, who has 31 homers and an NL-leading 78 RBIs, might be available. If they fall out of contention, the Angels might get decent returns for Jansen and switch-hitting utility man Luis Rengifo, who hit .292 with a .785 OPS, three homers, five doubles and 10 RBIs in 29 games before the break. The Angels could get maximum value if they traded Detmers, and Hendricks and Anderson might be attractive to contenders looking to plug rotation holes.

SCHEDULE: The Angels will face an immediate challenge coming out of the break with six games on the road against the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets, the top two teams in the NL East, and they’ll return home for seven games against Seattle and Texas, the two teams ahead of them in the AL West. How they fare against these contenders will determine their course of action at the trade deadline. But beginning with a July 24 game against the Mariners, the Angels will play 22 of 28 games at home through Aug. 24. The September schedule features 15 games against the sub-.500 Kansas City Royals, Athletics and Minnesota Twins and 11 games against the playoff-contending Houston Astros, Mariners and Milwaukee Brewers, including a season-ending three-game set against Houston.

The 6-foot-4, 190-pound right-hander went 5-4 with a 3.49 ERA in 14 starts for the Gauchos this season, striking out 111 and walking 19 in 77⅓ innings, but he seemed as surprised by the pick as many Angels fans who hoped the team would choose one of the more high-profile players available.

“Definitely just overwhelmed with shock and emotion,” Bremner said on a video call. “I don’t think this was really something that we thought was a possibility up until recently. So it was definitely a shock, and that’s kind of the emotion coming out. But it’s also just a really emotional time for me and my family right now.”

Bremner played his entire college career while his mother, Jennifer, battled breast cancer. Jennifer died on June 11 and was buried last week.

“She came out to all the games all the way up to the point where her body wouldn’t let her anymore,” Bremner said. “But she’s a fighter, and I know she’s out there watching. It’s weird in a way that I went to the Angels. It’s weird how life works.”

Bremner, a former San Diego Scripps Ranch High standout, features a lively fastball that sits in the 95-mph range and touches 98 mph and a plus changeup. But he struggled to throw his 87-mph slider for strikes this season, which is one reason he fell to No. 18 on MLB Pipeline’s draft ranking.

“We’ve been following Tyler for years,” Angels scouting director Tim McIlvaine said. “I watched him on Team USA over the summer, and through this year and all the adversity that he’s gone through with his mom, and in the second half, he was as good as anyone in the country. His stuff really ticked up. He finally felt good. …

“We really like his changeup. We think it’s a pitch that whenever he’s in trouble, he can get outs with it. We like his fastball. He’s 6-4, and he’s gonna put on more weight still. There’s a lot you can really dream on.”

The slider, McIlvaine admitted, is a work in progress.

“It’s his third pitch, and it’s developing,” McIlvaine said. “There are days where he has it and it’s really good and he gets a lot of swing-and-miss with it, and there are other days where it’s still coming.”

There have also been some questions about Bremner’s durability after the 21-year-old went back and forth between starting and relieving in his first two seasons at UCSB, when he went 16-5 with a 3.63 ERA in 37 games, striking out 184 and walking 38 in 144 innings.

“We talked to him and realize the weight he lost over the summer – he’ll be able to put that back on,” McIlvaine said. “Once we talked through the whole situation with him, it put all those worries to bed for us.”

There are no questions about Bremner’s competitive fire, which was apparent throughout this season and especially in the second half.

“Funny enough, as [my mom] got worse, that’s when I got stronger on the field,” Bremner said. “I feel like I did a very good job of almost using that kind of negative energy and channeling it into pitch and pitching angry, or pitching for her, pitching for something bigger than myself.

“It was a challenging season, especially to come out of the gate and not perform how I wanted to from the start. Obviously, I wanted to just dominate. But I kept on my path, trusted my stuff, and eventually it just clicked for me.”

MORE DRAFT NEWS

The Angels rounded out the first day of the draft by selecting LSU right-hander Chase Shores in the second round (47th overall), Texas high school left-hander Johnny Slawinski in the third round (79th overall) and Tennessee right-hander Nate Snead with a supplemental pick after the third round (105th overall).

The 6-8, 245-pound Shores threw 47 pitches of 100 mph or more during the NCAA tournament for the College World Series-champion Tigers. He complements a fastball that sits between 94-98 mph with arm-side run with a low-80s slider and an upper-80s changeup with fading action.

The 6-3, 180-pound Slawinski went 9-1 with an 0.37 ERA for Lyndon B. Johnson High, giving up 22 hits, striking out 177 and walking 14 in 74 innings, to win Prep Baseball Texas Player of the Year honors. He has good command of a low-to-mid-90s fastball, upper-70s slider, mid-70s curve and low-80s changeup.

The 6-2, 212-pound Snead pitched in relief at Tennessee, going 4-2 with a 4.53 ERA and six saves in 23 games, striking out 42 and walking 21 in 49⅔ innings. He complements a sinking fastball that sits between 95-97 mph and touches 101 mph with a low-90s cutter and a low-80s curve.

HISTORIC DAY

Saturday marked the first time in major league history that four Japanese-born pitchers started games on the same day.

Angels left-hander Yusei Kikuchi got the win over Arizona, Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani threw three scoreless innings in a win over San Francisco, San Diego right-hander Yu Darvish got a no-decision against Philadelphia, and Washington rookie left-hander Shinnosuke Ogasawara got a no-decision against Milwaukee.

“I was not aware of that,” Kikuchi, speaking through an interpreter, said after giving up three runs and six hits in 5⅔ innings of a 10-5 win. “Hopefully, we can be an inspiration to the kids who look up to us. There’s a lot of kids who play baseball over there and are dreaming of playing in the major leagues, so if we can be an inspiration, great.”

Los Angeles Angels pitcher José Soriano throws to an Arizona Diamondbacks batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly prepares to throw to a Los Angeles Angels batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout hits an RBI single during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Arizona Diamondbacks’ Blaze Alexander (9) and Corbin Carroll, right, shake hands after their team defeated the Los Angeles Angels in a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Arizona’s Josh Naylor scores as Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe watches during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Los Angeles Angels’ Zach Neto warms up with a football before a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

ANAHEIM — Any chance the Angels had of evening their record and building some momentum heading into the All-Star break evaporated during an ugly fourth inning in which the Arizona Diamondbacks scored four unearned runs en route to a 5-1 victory on Sunday afternoon at Angel Stadium.

One day after amassing 15 hits in Saturday night’s 10-5 win, the Angels mustered only three hits on Sunday. Arizona starter Merrill Kelly somehow managed to limit the Angels to one run and one hit in five innings despite walking four of the first 10 batters he faced and throwing just 58 of his 98 pitches for strikes.

Angels right-hander Jose Soriano experienced his usual control problems, walking three batters during a five-inning, five-hit, 91-pitch start in which only one of the five runs he allowed was earned. Soriano, who is 6-7 with a 3.90 ERA, ranks second among major league pitchers with 55 walks in 113 innings.

But it was the shaky defense that was most responsible for the Angels falling to 47-49 heading into the break, third baseman Yoán Moncada committing one of his two errors in the fateful fourth inning.

“We had our chances, and we didn’t make some plays,” Angels interim manager Ray Montgomery said. “It would have been nice to get that one and complete the sweep and a real good homestead going to the break, but we’re in a good spot.”

The Angels parlayed Zach Neto’s aggressive baserunning into a 1-0 lead in the third, Neto leading off with a walk, tagging up and taking second on Nolan Schanuel’s fly ball to center and scoring on Mike Trout’s single to left-center, career RBI No. 995 for the three-time American League MVP.

But Moncada’s second error of the game opened the door for the Diamondbacks to score four times in the top of the fourth.

Geraldo Perdomo led off with a walk and took second on Josh Naylor’s single to left-center. Eugenio Suárez followed with a grounder to the left of Moncada, who attempted to snag the ball, step on the third-base bag and throw to first for a potential double play.

The wiser choice would have been for Moncada to field the ball and throw to second, the base his momentum was carrying him toward. Instead, Moncada leaned toward third before securing the ball, which rolled under his glove and into left field, allowing Perdomo to score for a 1-1 tie.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. popped out to shortstop, and Alek Thomas struck out, but Blaze Alexander dunked a soft RBI double to left for a 2-1 lead. Angels left fielder Taylor Ward fielded the ball cleanly but neglected to throw to second, where he might have had a play on Alexander.

Switch-hitting catcher Jose Herrera then sliced a two-run double just inside the third-base bag for a 4-1 Arizona lead.

“Sori’s grinding right there, he’s working through it, and he made a pitch,” Montgomery said. “Nobody feels worse than Yo. That’s a ball he makes a play on 99 out of 100 times. It led to a few runs and put Sori in a tough spot.”

Should Moncada, who is playing with a sore right knee, have gone to second base on the Suarez grounder instead of attempting the tag-the-bag-and-throw double play?

“I didn’t talk to him about it, but, you know, with Suarez, he’s got a chance to just roll that one over,” Montgomery said. “Obviously we all know that If he had a chance to do it over again, he probably would have just spun the double play [and thrown to second] the way we normally do.”

The Diamondbacks took advantage of another defensive miscue to tack on an insurance run in the fifth. With two outs and Perdomo on first, Suarez blooped a hit to shallow right.

Angels right fielder LaMonte Wade Jr. raced in and fell short in his attempt to make a diving catch, the ball getting by him and allowing Perdomo to score from first on the double for a 5-1 lead.

Moncada was pulled from the game in the sixth.

“He keeps telling me he’s good to go and he’s battling through some stuff – we all know that,” Montgomery said. “At that point, with the four days coming up, I just wanted to give him a little extra breather and so I got him out of the game.”

Angels’ Mike Trout celebrates after hitting an RBI single during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, July 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Angels’ Yoán Moncada (5) and designated hitter Mike Trout (27) celebrate after Moncada scored during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, July 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi prepares to throw to a Arizona Diamondbacks batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, July 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen throws to a Angels batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, July 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Angels designated hitter Mike Trout runs the bases after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, July 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Angels’ Luis Rengifo follows through on an RBI single during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, July 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Angels’ Luis Rengifo drops his bat after hitting an RBI single as Arizona Diamondbacks catcher James McCann watches during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, July 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Arizona Diamondbacks’ Eugenio Suárez gestures after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, July 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Angels’ Mike Trout, left, hits an RBI single during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, July 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Angels Nolan Schanuel reacts while running towards first base after hitting an RBI single during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, July 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Angels’ Yoán Moncada slides into home plate during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, July 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Angels second baseman Luis Rengifo (2) and shortstop Zach Neto,embrace after the Angels defeat the Diamondbacks in a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, July 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Angels third baseman Yoán Moncada (5) throws to first base during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, July 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Arizona Diamondbacks’ Lourdes Gurriel Jr. looks on during batting practice before a baseball game against the Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, July 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Arizona Diamondbacks’ Eugenio Suárez stands in the cage during batting practice before a baseball game against the Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, July 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

ANAHEIM — Mike Trout was on hand for three of former Angels teammate Albert Pujols’ major milestones, smothering the Hall-of-Fame bound slugger with affection after Pujols hit his 500th career home run in Washington in 2014, his 600th homer in Anaheim in 2017 and his 3,000th hit in Seattle in 2018.

Soon, it will be Trout on the receiving end of those congratulatory hugs and handshakes that Pujols basked in.

The three-time American League MVP hit the 395th homer of his career – a two-run shot to right field in the fifth inning – and added a two-run single in the eighth to lead the Angels to a 10-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday night at Angel Stadium.

With five more long balls, Trout will become only the 59th player in major league history to hit 400 home runs. Trout is also six RBIs shy of 1,000 for his career.

“Just to think about it, how fast it’s gone, I’m trying to enjoy every minute of it,” said Trout, a 15-year veteran who turns 34 on Aug. 7. “Yeah, it’s a lot of homers, but I’ve still got a lot left in me.”

Trout provided the muscle in a 15-hit attack in which all nine starters got a hit. Nolan Schanuel had three hits – giving the first baseman 10 hits in a four-game span – Zach Neto, Travis d’Arnaud and Luis Rengifo each had two hits, and the Angels went six for 12 with runners in scoring position.

Neto singled and scored in the first, and the Angels turned a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 lead with three runs off Arizona starter Zac Gallen in the fourth, a rally that featured back-to-back doubles by Taylor Ward and Jo Adell, Jorge Soler’s sacrifice fly, d’Arnaud’s double and Rengifo’s RBI single.

“It’s big,” Trout said of the team’s ability to hit in the clutch. “Everyone’s pulling on the same rope. We harp on that. Have good at-bats, and good things happen.”

Arizona had trimmed a 6-3 deficit to 6-5 with a two-run eighth-inning rally that was aided by Angels reliever Jose Fermin’s two walks and a base-loaded walk by right-hander Sam Bachman, who stopped the bleeding by getting Geraldo Perdomo to ground out to first with the bases loaded to end the inning.

The Angels then rallied for four runs in the bottom of the eighth, Yoán Moncada and d’Arnaud setting the table with singles, Neto and Schanuel hitting RBI singles and Trout capping the rally with a two-run single to right for a 10-5 lead.

Trout’s homer, a 373-foot fly ball off the top of the tall right field wall, pushed the Angels’ lead from 4-2 to 6-2 in the fifth and moved Trout to within five of a milestone homer.

“We have enough negativity in the game – any time you see those types of things, you want to celebrate it, right?” Angels interim manager Ray Montgomery said. “I think it’s a testimony to who he is, too, because he’s so humble about everything. And like he said, those numbers are big.”

Angels left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, the team’s ace and lone All-Star representative, gave up three runs and six hits, including a pair of solo homers to Eugenio Suárez, in 5⅔ innings, striking out five and walking one, to improve to 4-6 with a 3.11 ERA, and he escaped a serious injury scare in the sixth.

With a runner aboard and two outs, Josh Naylor smashed a 105-mph line drive off Kikuchi’s left shoulder, the ball caroming into center field for a single. Kikuchi fell to the ground, clutching his shoulder, but he got up, threw a few warm-up pitches and remained in the game – for one more batter.

Randal Grichuk lined an RBI single to center to pull Arizona to within 6-3, Naylor taking third and Grichuk second on the throw. Kikuchi was pulled in favor of right-hander Ryan Zeferjahn, who got James McCann to ground out to third, ending the inning.

Montgomery said the line drive “hit more flesh, nothing bony,” and Kikuchi, who won’t pitch in Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Atlanta after removing himself from the active roster, said he is fine.

“There’s a little bit of pain,” Kikuchi said through an interpreter, “but I don’t think it’s that big of an issue.”

At least three of the top four college pitchers – LSU left-hander Kade Anderson, Tennessee left-hander Liam Doyle, Florida State left-hander Jamie Arnold and Oklahoma right-hander Kyson Witherspoon – will be available to the Angels in the first round on Sunday, depending on who the Washington Nationals take with the first pick.

Or, if the Angels wanted to take more risk and choose a prep star like they did with Jo Adell in 2017 and Jordyn Adams in 2018. At least three of the top four high school players – Stillwater (Oklahoma) shortstop Ethan Holliday, Fort Cobb-Broxton (Oklahoma) shortstop Eli Willits, the son of former Angels outfielder Reggie Willits, and Corona High pitcher Seth Hernandez and shortstop Billy Carlson – will be available.

Most mock drafts have the Angels choosing a pitcher with their top pick – understandable considering the lack of high-end starting pitching in the organization.

Anderson has drawn comparisons to New York Yankees left-hander Max Fried because of his tall and lanky 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame. While not overpowering, he has good command of a four-pitch mix that he used to go 12-1 with a 3.18 ERA in 19 starts, striking out 180 and walking 35, to lead LSU to the College World Series title last month.

The 6-2, 220-pound Doyle, who went 10-4 with a 3.48 ERA in 19 games for Tennessee, striking out 164 and walking 32 in 95⅔ innings, has the best fastball in the college class, a four-seamer that sits comfortably in the mid-90s and touches 99 mph.

The 6-1, 192-pound Arnold features a fastball that can touch 97 mph, a mid-80s sweeper/slider that is one of the best in this year’s class, and a deceptive delivery he used to go 8-2 with a 2.98 ERA in 15 games for Florida State, striking out 119 and walking 27 in 84⅔ innings.

The 6-2, 206-pound Witherspoon combines a mid-90s fastball with a plus curveball, slider and cutter, a well-rounded arsenal he used to go 10-4 with a 2.65 ERA in 16 starts for Oklahoma, striking out 124 and walking 23 in 95 innings.

No matter which direction they go – college or high school – the Angels will be flush with options for their highest pick since they chose outfielder Darin Erstad with the first overall pick of the 1995 draft.

Erstad, the former Nebraska star, received a $1.575-million signing bonus, and seven years later, he helped the Angels win their only World Series title in 2002.

The cost of doing business has gone up since then. The second pick in this year’s draft is assigned a slot value of $10.25 million. The Angels will have three other picks on the first day of the draft (Rounds 1-3), No. 47 overall ($2.08 million), No. 79 ($1.027 million) and No. 105 ($729,600). Their total bonus pool allotment is $16.656 million.

GOVERNOR SWITCH

Some of Zach Netocccs throws from shortstop have lacked their usual zip this month, raising concern he might be feeling some discomfort in the surgically repaired right shoulder that he injured on a head-first slide into second in a June 24 game against Boston.

Not to worry, Neto said.

“My shoulder is feeling good, better than before – I’m just trying to find that happy medium between when and when not to use my arm,” Neto said. “I’m not gonna be 24 forever. I’m not gonna be 25 forever.

“So I’m trying to get used to holding something back, like when to use and not use my arm, when to slide feet-first, when to slide head-first. I think that will help with my longevity.”

There is probably no better example of a shortstop conserving his throwing arm than the one who left town Thursday night, Texas Rangers star Corey Seager.

“He throws with what he needs, just about every time,” Angels interim manager Ray Montgomery said.

UP NEXT

Diamondbacks (RHP Merrill Kelly, 7-5, 3.41 ERA) at Angels (RHP Jose Soriano, 6-6, 4.00 ERA), Sunday, 1:07 p.m., FDSN West, 830 AM

The Angels’ Travis d’Arnaud, left, is doused with sports drink by teammates Zach Neto, center, and Nolan Schanuel after hitting a walk-off RBI single during the ninth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson throws to the plate during the second inning of a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Angels’ Zach Neto hits a solo home run during the first inning of a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. watches a ball that hit by the Angels’ Zach Neto soar over the fence for a solo home run during the first inning on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Angels’ Zach Neto is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Ryne Nelson throws to the plate during the first inning of a game against the Angels on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Angels’ Mike Trout, right, dives into second base ahead of the tag by Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Blaze Alexander during the first inning on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Blaze Alexander can’t get to a ball hit for a single by the Angels’ Luis Rengifo during the first inning on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Angels’ Yoan Moncada, left, is congratulated by Logan O’Hoppe, ,center, and Mike Trout after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Angels’ Yoan Moncada is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Alek Thomas, left, scores on a single by Jose Herrera as he collides with Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe during the second inning on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Alek Thomas, right, scores on a single by Jose Herrera as he collides with Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe during the second inning on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Alek Thomas, left, scores on a single by Jose Herrera as he collides with Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe during the second inning on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson gets set to pitch during the second inning of a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Randal Grichuk hits a two-run home run during the second inning of a game against the Angels on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Blaze Alexander mishandles a ball hit by the Angels’ Mike Trout during the fourth inning on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Angels left fielder Taylor Ward, left, and center fielder Jo Adell slide to try to catch a ball that was hit for a double by the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Randal Grichuk during the fifth inning on Friday, July 11, 2025 at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Angels’ Logan O’Hoppe celebrates as he scores on a double hit by Luis Rengifo during the fifth inning of a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. makes a catch on a ball hit by the Angels’ Jo Adell as center fielder Alek Thomas watches during the eighth inning on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Lourdes Gurriel Jr., right, is congratulated by Randal Grichuk after making a catch on a ball hit by the Angels’ Jo Adell during the eighth inning on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Arizona Diamondbacks’ Lourdes Gurriel Jr., right, is congratulated by Randal Grichuk after making a catch on a ball hit by the Angels’ Jo Adell during the eighth inning on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Angels’ Travis d’Arnaud hits a walk-off RBI single during the ninth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Angels’ Travis d’Arnaud hits a walk-off RBI single during the ninth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Angels’ Travis d’Arnaud gestures after hitting a walk-off RBI single during the ninth inning to give his team a 6-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Angels’ Travis d’Arnaud gestures after hitting a walk-off RBI single during the ninth inning to give his team a 6-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Angels’ Logan O’Hoppe, right, scores on a Travis d’Arnaud walk-off single as Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Jose Herrera walks away during the ninth inning on Friday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Angels’ Logan O’Hoppe celebrates after scoring on a Travis d’Arnaud walk-off single during the ninth inning of their 6-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Angels’ Logan O’Hoppe, right, scores on a Travis d’Arnaud walk-off single as Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Jose Herrera walks away during the ninth inning on Friday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Angels’ Travis d’Arnaud, right, celebrates with teammates Logan O’Hoppe, center, and Nolan Schanuel after hitting a walk-off RBI single during the ninth inning to give them a 6-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

ANAHEIM — Travis d’Arnaud had a simple explanation this week for his recent hot streak, saying he was just trying “to be consistent, stay calm and have a slow heartbeat” when he steps to the plate.

The veteran catcher displayed all of those qualities in the bottom of the ninth inning Friday night, stroking a pinch-hit RBI single to left field to give the Angels a 6-5 walk-off victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Angel Stadium.

“You’re never going to see panic with him,” interim manager Ray Montgomery said when asked about d’Arnaud falling behind 0-and-2 against sidearm-throwing left-hander Kyle Backhus.
“I’m trying to get a heartbeat from him. He’s such a pro. He’s been in that spot a lot. So I feel really good about the at-bat.”

Logan O’Hoppe sparked the winning rally when he was hit by a pitch with one out. Luis Rengifo lined a single to center, and d’Arnaud, batting for Gustavo Campero, delivered the fifth walk-off hit of his career.

“I was trying not to do too much, knowing a single would put us ahead,” d’Arnaud said. “I was just trying to hit the ball on the barrel. Luckily, I got a sweeper that didn’t hit the ground and was able to float it over the third baseman’s head for a hit.”

That relaxed approach has fueled a superb 17-game stretch in which d’Arnaud has hit .291 (16 for 55) with five home runs, two doubles and 13 RBIs since June 3.

“I’m not overthinking anything,” d’Arnaud, 36, said. “I think early on, I was pressing too much to hit home runs or if a runner’s on first, I was trying to hit a grand slam, when all I had to do is hit the ball on the barrel and take my single. That’s where my mind has been, and that’s why I’m getting rewarded.”

The Angels took a 5-4 lead on Rengifo’s RBI double in the fifth, and they got perfect relief innings from left-hander Brock Burke in the sixth and right-hander Jose Fermin, who struck out two of three batters in the seventh.

But left-hander Reid Detmers, who had his 22-inning scoreless streak snapped in Wednesday night’s win against the Texas Rangers, gave up a score-tying homer to Randal Grichuk in the eighth.

Angels closer Kenley Jansen threw a scoreless ninth, getting Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to ground into an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play, to keep the score tied.

“They’re asked to do a lot every night, and they’ve continued to answer the bell,” Montgomery said of the bullpen. “I mean, we had one bad pitch out of four innings out of the bullpen, and it was just unfortunate it happened.”

Angels starter Tyler Anderson reached 10 years of major-league service time Friday, a significant milestone that only 7% of players who make it to the major leagues achieve, but the veteran left-hander didn’t have much to celebrate.

Anderson needed 84 pitches to grind through five innings in which he gave up four runs and eight hits, and he coughed up an early 4-0 lead when he gave up four runs in the second.

But Anderson escaped a two-on, no-outs jam in the third when he struck out Grichuk and got Blaze Alexander to ground into a double play, and he added a scoreless fourth and fifth.

The Angels positioned Anderson for a win by snapping a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the fifth, a rally that featured two rare events, a two-out walk by O’Hoppe, who had drawn 11 free passes in 287 plate appearances entering Friday, and a stolen base by the burly catcher, who had swiped two bags in 267 big-league games before Friday.

That put O’Hoppe in position to score easily on Rengifo’s RBI double to right for a 5-4 Angels lead. But Grichuk’s homer off Detmers prevented Anderson from notching his first victory since April 18, an 11-start stretch in which Anderson has lost six decisions.

“I know it’s been a long time [since my last win], but I haven’t been pitching that great either,” Anderson said. “You get four runs early, you want to go out there and put up a zero, a shut-down inning, and instead you give it right back.
So, you can’t really ask for a win there, but in general, I’m trying to keep the team in the game.”

The Angels got off to a great start when Zach Neto sparked a four-run rally in the first with his seventh leadoff homer of the season, a 434-foot bomb to left that tied Brian Downing’s franchise record of seven leadoff homers in 1987.

Nolan Schanuel walked and took third on Mike Trout’s double to left-center. Taylor Ward’s sacrifice fly made it 2-0, and Yoán Moncada blasted a first-pitch fastball from Arizona right-hander Ryne Nelson for a two-run homer to right and a 4-0 lead.

But that vanished five batters into the top of the second, Grichuk crushing a 430-foot two-run homer to left, Alexander and Alek Thomas hitting back-to-back doubles for a run and Jose Herrera adding an RBI single for a 4-4 tie.

“It’s tough only in the sense of, listen, we need him, and we want him to be a part of what we’re doing,” interim manager Ray Montgomery said of Kochanowicz, who went 3-9 with a 6.03 ERA, a major league-worst for qualified starters, in 19 games.

“I’ve been in the game a long time, and going down to the minor leagues to get yourself right is what it’s for. He has to go get some things worked out, and he’ll be back.”

Kochanowicz, who was rocked for eight runs and eight hits in 2⅔ innings in Thursday night’s 11-4 loss to the Texas Rangers, must remain in the minor leagues for 15 days barring injury to another Angels pitcher, making him ineligible to return until July 26.

The Angels, the only team in baseball to use the same five starting pitchers this season, will need a fifth starter for a July 22 game in New York against the Mets, the fifth game after the All-Star break.

Veteran right-hander Carson Fulmer, who relieved Kochanowicz on Thursday and threw 88 pitches over 5⅓ innings, allowing three runs and five hits, could be a short-term option. Among the other in-house options are minor leaguers Victor Mederos, Sam Aldegheri and Ryan Johnson.

Asked Thursday night if the Angels would consider moving starter-turned-reliever Reid Detmers back to the rotation, Montgomery said, “I would hate to say no to anything.”

But by Friday, the Angels seemed intent on leaving Detmers in the bullpen, where the left-hander has allowed just three earned runs in 27 innings over his last 26 games.

“Ultimately, I don’t think [the decision] would fall entirely on me,” Montgomery said. “But I just don’t know why you would want to take a guy who’s having the kind of success he’s having and kind of mess with that.”

Kochanowicz, 24, a sinker ball specialist who has induced 19 double-play ground balls, the second-most in the American League, said Thursday night that he has struggled to figure out what secondary pitches to lean on when his sinker is being hit hard.

“I want him to be more selfish in who he is on the mound and really take control of the game and not defer and look for others,” Montgomery said, when asked what he wants Kochanowicz to focus on in the minor leagues.

“I think that’s the growth of young pitchers, when they start to learn what their strengths are. … The big thing for him is understanding that there’s a plan in place for him to work on certain things to make sure that those don’t happen again when he returns.”

ALL-STAR SHUTOUT

Barring a last-minute substitution, the Angels will not have a representative in Tuesday night’s All-Star Game in Atlanta after their lone American League All-Star, pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, bowed out of the game on Friday.

Kikuchi, who is 3-6 with a 3.02 ERA in 19 starts, is scheduled to pitch against Arizona on Saturday night and will likely start the team’s first game out of the break in Philadelphia next Friday. The left-hander plans to attend the All-Star festivities at Truist Park, but he was replaced on the active roster by Tampa Bay right-hander Drew Rasmussen.

“You just don’t get named to these things very often, so we kind of left it in his hands if he chose not to [play],” Montgomery said. “I get it from Yusei’s side – I mean, that’s an honorable thing to do, because it’s quite an honor to be an All-Star.”

Montgomery thought outfielder Jo Adell, who entered Friday with a .247 batting average, .815 OPS, 19 home runs and 53 RBIs, would have been a good replacement for Seattle outfielder Julio Rodriguez, who also bowed out of the game on Friday, but Rodriguez was replaced by fellow Mariners outfielder Randy Arozarena.

UP NEXT

Diamondbacks (RHP Zac Gallen, 7-9, 5.15 ERA) at Angels (LHP Yusei Kikuchi, 3-6, 3.02 ERA), Saturday, 6:38 p.m., FDSN West, 830 AM

The Angels’ Taylor Ward, right, is tagged out by Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim as he tries to score on a hit by Jo Adell during the second inning on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Texas Rangers’ Corey Seager heads to first after hitting a single during the first inning of a game against the Angels on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Angels third baseman Yoán Moncada can’t get to a ball hit for an RBI single by the Texas Rangers’ Jonah Heim during the first inning on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Texas Rangers’ Corey Seager is congratulated in the dugout after scoring on a single by Adolis Garcia during the first inning of a game against the Angels on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Angels starting pitcher Jack Kochanowicz throws to the plate during the first inning of a game against the Texas Rangers on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Patrick Corbin throws to the plate during the second inning of a game against the Angels on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Angels’ Taylor Ward, left, is tagged out by Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim as he tries to score on a hit by Jo Adell during the second inning on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Angels starting pitcher Jack Kochanowicz throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Texas Rangers on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. Kochanowicz allowed eight runs and eight hits in 2-2/3 innings in an 11-4 loss. His ERA (6.03) is the highest among American League pitchers who have thrown at least 90 innings. (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images)

The Texas Rangers’ Jake Burger, right, gestures to his dugout after hitting an RBI double as Angels second baseman Luis Rengifo stands by during the third inning on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Angels second baseman Luis Rengifo shields his face from the sun during the third inning of a game against the Texas Rangers on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Angels shortstop Zach Neto throws out the Texas Rangers’ Adolis Garcia at first base during the fifth inning on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Angels’ Taylor Ward hits a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a game against the Texas Rangers on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Texas Rangers’ Adolis Garcia, right, is congratulated by teammate Marcus Semien after hitting a two-run home run during the eighth inning of a game against the Angels on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Texas Rangers’ Adolis Garcia, center, smiles after being congratulated by Wyatt Langford, left, and Marcus Semien after hitting a two-run home run during the eighth inning of a game against the Angels on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Angels’ Zach Neto hits a solo home run during the ninth inning of a game against the Texas Rangers on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Dane Dunning throws to the plate during the ninth inning of a game against the Angels on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

ANAHEIM — The Angels are the only team in baseball to have used the same five starting pitchers this season, a remarkable achievement considering the deluge of elbow and shoulder injuries that shelve many of the game’s top arms every year.

But it might be time to reassess at least one spot in that rotation after another shoddy start by Jack Kochanowicz, who was rocked for eight runs and eight hits in 2⅔ innings of Thursday night’s 11-4 loss to the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium.

Kochanowicz gave up four straight singles in the first inning to put the Angels in a 2-0 hole. The 24-year-old right-hander seemed to recover with two strikeouts in a one-two-three second, but the third inning was a disaster, the Rangers sending 12 men to the plate during a seven-run, six-hit, three-walk, one-balk rally for a 9-0 lead.

By the time Angels reliever Carson Fulmer allowed the two runners he inherited in the third to score, Kochanowicz’s ERA had ballooned to 6.03 in 19 starts, the highest among American League pitchers who have thrown at least 90 innings.

Kochanowicz is 3-9 this season and 0-3 with a 7.51 ERA in his last nine starts, in which he’s given up 37 earned runs in 44⅓ innings. His last win came against the Dodgers on May 16.

“Listen, anytime you’re having the issues that he’s going through right now or the lack of success … you have to discuss everything, right?” interim manager Ray Montgomery said, when asked if the Angels are considering a change to the rotation. “I mean, we have a responsibility to everybody here, so we’ll talk about everything.”

The challenge the Angels would face if they did want to demote Kochanowicz to the minor leagues is that unless they want to return starter-turned-reliever Reid Detmers to the rotation, there are no obvious alternatives.

Detmers would need two to three weeks to build up enough endurance to throw four or five innings, and the left-hander has become such a valuable reliever, with a 22-inning scoreless streak that was snapped Wednesday night, that his loss would leave a gaping hole in the bullpen.

“I would hate to say no to anything, but I don’t think that’s going to happen,” Montgomery said about the possibility of Detmers moving back to the rotation. “Never say never, but …”

The three most viable minor league rotation options would probably be Triple-A right-hander Victor Mederos, Double-A left-hander Sam Aldegheri and Class-A right-hander Ryan Johnson, a 2024 second-round draft pick who opened the season in the Angels’ bullpen but has thrived in the Tri-City rotation.

Fulmer might even be a better short-term option than Kochanowicz after the veteran right-hander threw 88 pitches in 5⅓ innings Thursday night. Fulmer blanked the Rangers on one hit from the fourth through seventh but gave up a two-run homer to Adolis Garcia in the eighth.

“Carson threw the ball great,” Montgomery said. “He was built up early in the year, and then he backed off a little bit. To come out and do that in that situation, it was a really big help. … Again, we’ll look at everything and talk about everything.”

The Angels made some noise at the plate when Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer off Rangers starter Patrick Corbin in the fifth and LaMonte Wade Jr. hit an RBI single off reliever Jacob Latz in the sixth to cut the lead to 9-3.

But the Angels dug far too deep of a hole in the first three innings to mount a serious comeback.

Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Garcia and Jonah Heim all singled in the first, with Garcia and Heim driving in runs.

Seager walked to open the third, Semien singled, Garcia grounded into a fielder’s choice, and Heim struck out for the second out. Wyatt Langford and Evan Carter hit RBI singles for a 4-0 lead, and Langford scored on a Kochanowicz balk for a 5-0 lead.

Jake Burger’s RBI double made it 6-0, and walks to Alejandro Osuna and Josh Smith loaded the bases. Seager’s two-run single off Fullmer made it 8-0, and Semien’s RBI single made it 9-0.

“Just bad,” Kochanowicz said of his start. “I didn’t make the adjustment I needed to. It’s frustrating, obviously. I just have to throw the ball better.”

Kochanowicz’s biggest problem Thursday night was that his best pitch, a 96-mph sinker that he has used to induce 19 double plays, the second-most in the league, and a 52.1% ground-ball rate, third-best in the league, wasn’t very effective.

“I try to lean on my sinker, and when that’s not working, it’s kind of tough to pick and choose when to go away from that approach,” Kochanowicz said. “They singled me to death today. Sometimes it’s the long ball. It’s just trying to figure out what their approach is and figure out my best way around that.”

Seager, the former Dodgers star, was pulled in the fifth inning, but not until after he improved his average against the Angels to .625 (15 for 24) with three home runs and eight RBIs in seven games this season and .332 (79 for 238) with 15 homers and 42 RBIs in 62 games in his career.

Angels infielder Kevin Newman made his second pitching appearance of the series and retired the side in order on four pitches in the ninth. Unlike Kochanowicz, Newman received a nice ovation as he walked off the mound.

“You can’t deny what he’s done offensively, and what he brings to the pitching staff is immeasurable,” interim manager Ray Montgomery said of d’Arnaud. “So as we roll into the [All-Star] break, getting each of them playing time is important.”

O’Hoppe has started 60 of 93 games – roughly two-thirds – behind the plate, and d’Arnaud has made 33 starts.

Their overall offensive numbers are comparable, though O’Hoppe, who entered Thursday with a .229 average, .690 OPS, 17 home runs, four doubles and 37 RBIs, has hit for more power than d’Arnaud, who entered Thursday with a .228 average, .693 OPS, six homers, eight doubles and 16 RBIs.

Both have high strikeout rates (33.9% for O’Hoppe; 32.2% for d’Arnaud) and low walk rates (3.5% for O’Hoppe; 4.8% for d’Arnaud).

d’Arnaud rates higher than O’Hoppe in pitch-framing and pitch-blocking metrics, and Angels pitchers have a 4.32 ERA in the 296 innings they’ve thrown to d’Arnaud compared to a 4.75 ERA in the 521 innings they’ve thrown to O’Hoppe.

But d’Arnaud has wielded the hotter bat of late, hitting .350 (7 for 20) with a 1.281 OPS, three home runs, two doubles and six RBIs in his past five games entering Thursday.

He hit a two-run homer off of Texas Rangers All-Star right-hander Jacob deGrom and a game-tying RBI double in the sixth inning of a 6-5 Angels win on Monday night, and he had two hits, including a homer, in Wednesday night’s 11-8 win.

“I think I’ve had enough at-bats, and my approach is really simple, where
I’ve had four games off, played the next day and had a couple hits,” d’Arnaud said. “I’ve also had four games off and gone 0-fer. So I just try to be consistent, stay calm and have a slow heartbeat. That’s all I focus on, really.”

While d’Arnaud will play more, he is not expected to displace O’Hoppe as the primary catcher. d’Arnaud is the second-oldest catcher in baseball behind San Diego’s Martin Maldonado (38), and the Angels don’t want him to wither under the physical demands of the position.

They want to find that sweet spot of playing d’Arnaud enough to keep his rhythm at the plate and rapport with pitchers but not so much that he’ll wear down.

“That’s communication, conversation,” Montgomery said. “He’s very up front about that. He’s a professional. He knows when he needs a day or if he’s good to go. You have to be careful, especially at the point of the season where we’re at right now, we’re grinding, coming up on 100 games.”

The 6-foot, 210-pound d’Arnaud doesn’t want the kid-glove treatment, though. The 13-year veteran started 79 games at catcher in 2024 and 99 games in 2022 for the Atlanta Braves.

“I mean, 80 games compared to what Cal Raleigh is doing is nothing,” d’Arnaud said, referring to the Seattle star who has started 69 of the Mariners’ 93 games behind the plate and 21 at designated hitter.

“I’m just going to keep preparing my body and being ready. I feel good. It’s still fun. I still enjoy it. I love calling games and getting guys out more than anything. I think that’s why I still catch.”

ANGEL IN THE OUTFIELD?

Mike Trout has made all 36 of his starts since returning from a left knee injury in late-May at DH, but neither he nor the Angels have given up on a return to right field for the three-time American League MVP.

Trout will resume outfield drills after the All-Star break, and the Angels hope to ease him back with regular DH days between outfield starts.

“I think Mike is better when he’s participating in the field,” Montgomery said. “When you’ve played as much and as good as he has defensively, to be relegated to DH is tough. It’s a hard adjustment, but he’s done a really good job of it. I think the four days off during the break are tied into this. That should really help him.”

ALSO

With left-hander Patrick Corbin starting for Texas in Thursday night’s series finale, Montgomery gave left-handed-hitting first baseman Nolan Schanuel, who has some calf tightness, the night off.

UP NEXT

Diamondbacks (RHP Ryne Nelson, 5-2, 3.39 ERA) at Angels (LHP Tyler Anderson, 2-6, 4.19 ERA), Friday, 6:38 p.m., Apple TV+, 830 AM