Los Angeles AngelsvsPittsburgh Pirates
LAA 6/PIT 1
Things to say
The Angels beat the Pirates 6-1 at PNC Park on Saturday.
01
opener
Angels rolled into Pittsburgh and took it 6-1. Their starter got into his stuff early and just kept the Pirates off balance all night. Never really felt close after the middle innings.
02
key player
Whoever they ran out there on the mound was the story. Went deep into the game, kept the WHIP down, barely let a runner sniff second. That's a start you frame.
03
hot take
Sixth in the AL West and they're still out here punking a team fighting for .500. Tells you the Pirates aren't as close as that record makes it look.
04
deep cut
One run at PNC on a night the ball was carrying? That's the offense going quiet against a lineup that's been dead for weeks. The heart of the order did nothing.
05
exit
Getaway day tomorrow, so we'll see if the Pirates bounce back before they hit the road. Anyway, catch the rest of the series.
The recap
The Angels rolled into PNC Park and handled their business, cruising to a 6-1 win over the Pirates on a getaway day. Their starter got into his stuff early and went deep, keeping Pittsburgh's bats quiet all afternoon while the heart of the order did the damage on the other side.
The Pirates never really threatened after falling behind, managing just a single run and watching the bullpen do cleanup duty in a game that was decided long before the ninth. For a 54-win club, that's about as easy as a road afternoon gets.