Robles, Rodríguez lead Mariners past Angels 9-5 in series opener

Aug 30, 2024, 9:59 PM | Updated: 10:51 pm

Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez is congratulated after scoring a run during an Aug. 30, 2024 game. (Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press)

(Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press)

BY JOE REEDY

The Associated Press

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Victor Robles had three hits and drove in two runs, Julio Rodríguez homered for the second straight game and the Seattle Mariners opened a 10-game road trip with a 9-5 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night.

Seattle Mariners 9, Los Angeles Angels 5: Box Score

“Great way to start the road trip, for sure. Putting pressure on them early on and giving our pitchers a chance to to get into the ballgame,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “Offense continues to roll, and it’s a good sign and good to see.”

The Mariners scored five times in the first to ruin the debut of Angels’ left-hander Samuel Aldegheri, who became the first player born and raised in Italy to pitch in a major league game.

Aldegheri (0-1) ended up giving up seven runs — only two earned — on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts in five innings. Aldegheri, called up from Double-A Rocket City on Friday, was acquired last month in the trade that sent closer Carlos Estévez to Philadelphia.

“I had a hard time in the first inning but I thought I bounced back pretty good. I’m happy. First time I was kind of nervous, but I’m happy,” Aldegheri said.

George Kirby (10-10) allowed five runs in 5 2/3 innings for the Mariners, who have won four of five.

“I wish I came out a little stronger. Didn’t throw my offspeed for strikes so was battling back in counts. Really glad the hitters stepped up and had my back,” Kirby said.

Taylor Ward, Mickey Moniak and Brandon Drury had solo shots for Los Angeles, which has dropped eight of nine. The Halos are 55-80, the fourth-worst record in franchise history after 135 games.

The Mariners sent 11 to the plate in the first inning. With runners on second and third with two outs, it looked like Aldegheri was going to get out of the inning when Jorge Polanco hit a line drive at Zach Neto. However, it went off the Angels shortstop’s glove, and two runs scored.

Mitch Garver’s bases-loaded double down the left-field line drove in two more. Robles, the ninth batter in the inning, followed with an RBI base hit to center to make it 5-0.

“After that first inning he came back and got us through five. He made some adjustments but early in the game he was trying to shoot strikes in there and they were jumping all over the fastball,” Angels manager Ron Washington said of Aldegheri.

The Angels responded with two in the bottom of the first. Ward had the fourth leadoff homer of his career and Nolan Schanuel hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Neto.

Rodríguez extended Seattle’s lead to 7-2 with a two-run shot in the fourth. It was the second time this season he has homered in consecutive games.

Moniak and Drury went deep to lead off the fifth. It is the fifth time this season the Angels have had back-to-back homers. Los Angeles got within 7-5 on Drury’s RBI single before Seattle added some insurance in the eighth and ninth innings.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Angels: RHP Ryan Miller left during the eighth inning with a bruised left calf after taking a line drive from from Randy Arozarena off his leg. … RHP Carson Fulmer was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Tuesday, due to right elbow inflammation.

UP NEXT

Mariners: RHP Bryan Woo (6-2, 2.05 ERA) has allowed one run or fewer in nine of his 16 starts this season.

Angels: LHP Tyler Anderson (10-12, 3.41 ERA) faces Seattle for the third time this season.