Angels Face Tough Challenge from Dylan Cease and Blue Jays in Scoreless Defeat
TORONTO — In a standout performance, Dylan Cease struck out 10 batters, achieving double-digit strikeouts for the third time in eight starts this season. His efforts propelled the Toronto Blue Jays to a 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels, effectively ending a four-game losing streak and marking the Angels’ 14th loss in 18 games.
The game featured Angels pitcher Alek Manoah, who returned to the mound after undergoing Tommy John surgery nearly a year ago. This marked his first matchup against his former team. The 28-year-old right-hander made an impressive return, striking out one in a perfect eighth inning and hitting a fastball speed of 93.8 mph. He effectively utilized his pitches, with seven out of 11 thrown for strikes.
Cease, now holding a 3-1 record, pitched seven innings, allowing five hits without any walks in his 28th career game with double-digit strikeouts.
Toronto (17-21) scored both of its runs in the third inning, with Kazuma Okamoto contributing an RBI single and Ernie Clement scoring with a sacrifice fly off Reid Detmers (1-2), who issued a career-high six walks over 3⅔ innings, alongside giving up two hits. The Angels’ record now stands at 15-24.
Louis Varland secured his fifth save of the season with a flawless ninth inning.
Looking ahead, the next game will feature Angels right-hander Jack Kochanowicz (2-1, 3.05) facing off against Blue Jays right-hander Trey Yesavage (1-1, 0.96) on Saturday.
