After a disappointing series against the Baltimore Orioles over the weekend, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim fell to second place in the American League West. Slipping in the standings may have been a wake-up call they needed because they brought their A-game against the Cleveland Guardians Monday night. 

         Angels manager, Joe Madden, made a noticeable change in Monday night's lineup. American League reigning MVP, Shohei Ohtani, was not at the top of the order; instead, Taylor Ward took Ohtani’s place. Ward has had a good start to the season batting .346 with OBP of .528. Ward did not disappoint the Angels or their fans. 

         After five scoreless innings, Ward took it into his own hands to get the game going. Ward homered off of former Cy Young award winner Shane Bieber’s 94 mph four-seam fastball. That was not Ward’s only home run of the night. In the bottom of the seventh inning, Ward and Bieber faced off again. This time Ward barreled up Bieber’s 85 mph cutter and sent a 409-foot shot to center, bringing Max Stassi into score. Ward was responsible for all of the scoring in the game by driving in all three runs with his two dingers.

         Ward's success and Ohtani’s hitless night may have justified the shift in the lineup. Ohtani struck out twice out of his four times up to bat and is currently batting .211 with an OBP of .273.  

            Michael Lorenzen cemented his position in the rotation by throwing six scoreless innings and allowing only three hits. Lorenzen did not permit a single Guardian to reach third base. The Angels bullpen closed the door by retiring the final nine batters in order. Both Ward’s hitting and Lorenzen’s ability to keep the Guardians off-balance lead to the Angels winning 3-0.

After the Angels’ series sweep against the Guardians, they are now back on top of the American League West. 

Image courtesy of Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press