Newcomer Randal Grichuk helps power Angels to victory over first-place Braves
The Angels lineup had a new look Monday, with the newly acquired C.J. Cron and Randal Grichuk helping lift the Angels to a 4-1 win over the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park.
Grichuck was one of three Angels who hit home runs off Braves starter Charlie Morton. Luis Rengifo pushed the Angels (56-51) into the lead on a lead-off homer in the first and Chad Wallach added a solo shot in the sixth.
Grichuk became the first player to homer in his Angels debut since Anthony Rendon achieved the feat in 2020. Grichuk, drafted by the Angels in 2009, was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2013 before he made his major-league debut.
The Angels, 11-5 since the All-Star break, are three games out of the final American League wild-card spot. They are 4 1/2 games back of first place in the AL West.
In the last five weeks, the Angels have made several moves to improve their roster and, they hope, show Shohei Ohtani that they are serious about winning.
“I didn’t think it would take me 14 years to make it to the big leagues with the Angels, but here I am,” Grichuk said lightheartedly.
Cron previously played with the Angels from 2014-2017. Cron was traded days after Shohei Ohtani arrived at spring training for the first time in February 2018.
“It feels like this game always comes full circle,” said Cron, who went one for five Monday and drove in a run in the ninth inning.
Chase Silseth took the mound for the Angels instead of Griffin Canning, who was slated to start, but said he was still experiencing general soreness following his previous outing.
Silseth pitched a commanding five innings, giving up one run, three hits and striking out four.
The Angels acquire Randal Grichuk and C.J. Cron in a deal with the Colorado Rockies in exchange for Jake Madden and Mason Albright.
“Just giving my team a chance to win,” said Silseth, who collected his second straight strong win against the 67-37 Braves. “That’s all I can do. That’s the main goal is to try to win games and I’m feeling pretty good.”
The one run came off a home run hit by Matt Olson, who has the second-most home runs in baseball, 36, after Shohei Ohtani’s 39.
Ohtani looked like he had hit No. 40 in the ninth, but Braves center fielder Michael Harris II made a leaping catch near the wall.
Rounding out the pitching were José Soriano, Aaron Loup and Reynaldo López, who shut out the Braves the remaining four innings.
Wallach, Monday’s catcher, also went two for three and scored two runs total.
“Every team’s a good team and they’re one of the best teams in the league,” Wallach said. “But we think we can beat any team. That’s how good I think we are. We can play with anybody and any win’s special.”
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