Angels stay hot, sweep Seattle
They win sixth game in a row and stay in second wild-card spot.
SEATTLE — Parker Bridwell started the season in the minors. Now he’s one of the strongest pitchers for an Angels team that’s in the middle of a playoff hunt.
Bridwell threw six strong innings as the Angels completed a four-game sweep with a 4-2 win against the Seattle Mariners on Sunday.
The rookie Bridwell is 7-1 and has won five decisions in a row. The Angels have won six in a row overall.
“He’s given us a shot in the arm,” said C.J. Cron, who homered. “He’s kind of been that stopper for us. Every time he goes out he’s going to give us some solid innings, and that’s kind of what we need. That’s what every team needs, and he’s done a great job. He continues to impress.”
The Angels hold the second of two wild-card spots in the American League. Five teams are within 21⁄2 games of the Angels.
“Honestly, it couldn’t happen at a better time,” Bridwell said. “With the wild-card race going the way it is, we’ve come along and started to get hot at the right time.”
The Angels took a 4-1 lead with a three-run fifth. The bullpen had held the Mariners scoreless in the previous two games, but Seattle rallied in the ninth against reliever Keynan Middleton.
Robinson Cano led off with an infield hit and Nelson Cruz doubled.
Kyle Seager struck out before Jarrod Dyson hit an RBI single.
Middleton, who earned the win Friday and Saturday, got the next two batters to fly out, picking up his second save.
“Keynan answered the bell this week,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “He made pitches and got out of the jam.”
Ariel Miranda (7-6) struggled with his control, giving up a career-high six walks. He is winless in seven starts.
“It wasn’t a good weekend, no doubt,” Seattle manager Scott Servais said. “We have to get back going the right direction again, in all facets of the game . ... Unfortunately, we hit a bad spot here, a bad patch at home.”