Tyler Anderson pitched eight innings and Jo Adell hit a home run to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 7-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, ending a five-game losing streak.
Anderson (8-8) allowed a single to the leadoff batter but then retired 13 Chicago batters before allowing another hit to easily earn his third win in his last five games. The left-hander struck out a career-high 10 batters while allowing just three hits and walking none.
“When I’m ahead in the count, I feel like I can throw anything,” said Anderson, who induced 11 ground balls. “Today it was important for me to attack and try to get an early lead.”
Logan O’Hoppe added two hits and two RBIs for Los Angeles, whose team has allowed just one run in its past three losses but all nine starters had at least one hit.
Ben Joyce pitched a shutout ninth inning to earn the win.
“I don’t know if he’s ever going to pitch this well, but he certainly gave us what we needed today,” Angels manager Ron Washington said of Anderson. “He really took control today.”
Chicago starter Kyle Hendricks (1-7) left the game after two innings because of lower back tightness. Hendricks allowed the Angels’ first two runs, walked two and gave up four hits, resulting in their third consecutive loss.
“It felt weird and it wasn’t helping,” said Hendricks, who had experienced cramps the day before. “I just didn’t think it was a good idea to push it any further.”
Manager Craig Counsell said Hendricks will undergo further tests in the coming days before the club decides whether he needs to be placed on injured reserve.
The Cubs, searching for their third straight win, have lost nine of 13. Nico Hoerner had two of the team’s four hits.
Colten Brewer, the first of Chicago’s five relief pitchers, gave up three runs (one earned) on two errors in the third inning before Adell hit a home run to deep center field off Drew Smyly two innings later.
Angels outfielder Kevin Pillar, in his 10th year in the major leagues, was rested for the day. The team decorated his stand, and he gave words of encouragement to his teammates before the game.
Trainer Room
Angels: First baseman Nolan Chanuel jumped to first base after being hit in the lower leg by a Brewer pitch in the third inning but remained in the game.
Cubs: Right-hander Yencey Almonte (torn labrum) will have season-ending shoulder surgery. He has appeared in 17 games this season. … Right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. (sprained forearm) is expected to return from the 15-day disabled list during this week’s trips to Baltimore and St. Louis. … Right-hander Julian Merryweather (stress fracture rib) begins a rehab assignment with Single-A South Bend this week.
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The Angels will pit Jose Soriano (4-6, 3.77 ERA) against fellow right-hander Hayden Wesneski (2-5, 4.14 ERA) in the series finale on Sunday afternoon.