Trio of HRs back Canning's gem in 'fun' Freeway Series rout

ANAHEIM -- Angels manager Ron Washington compared the atmosphere at Angel Stadium in their two games against the rival Dodgers to a playoff environment.

Both games brought sold-out crowds and a notable intensity, especially for an Angels club out of the postseason race. But Washington believes it’s another learning experience for his young club and was pleased with the way they competed against the Dodgers, who have the best record in the Majors.

The Angels hung in there for nine innings on Tuesday before losing in extra innings, and they followed that up with an impressive all-around showing in a 10-1 win in the series finale on Wednesday at Angel Stadium. It helped the Angels earn a 2-2 season split in the Freeway Series this year.

“It should mean everything,” Washington said. “The atmosphere that we were in is a playoff atmosphere. Yes, we’re not in the playoffs, but it's nice to be in that atmosphere. And they rose to the challenge. And hopefully this, we just can keep building on it.”

Right-hander Griffin Canning led the charge by throwing 6 2/3 strong innings, while Mickey Moniak, Niko Kavadas and Taylor Ward all homered. Canning was handed an early lead, as the Angels scored five runs against right-hander Bobby Miller before even recording an out. Anthony Rendon plated two runs with a single before Moniak connected on a three-run blast. It was Moniak’s seventh homer over his last 22 games and his fourth over his last five games.

“We needed it, especially with the way we lost the game last night,” Washington said. “It just shows you that they can get past one night to the next and play for today. And we needed it. And then the good thing is we kept pouring it on. … I hope the offense has woken up and will finish the rest of the season like that. And same with the pitching -- Canning was the story tonight.”

Canning has had trouble in the first inning this season but registered a 1-2-3 opening frame against superstars Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. It was a sign of things to come from Canning, who turned in perhaps his best start of the year. He surrendered one run on four hits and four walks while striking out seven. That run didn’t come until he gave up a two-out RBI single to Andy Pages in the seventh that knocked him from the game.

“It was just a lot of fun competing with those guys,” Canning said. “Obviously, a really, really great lineup. So they kind of bring out the best. And the crowd was into it. It was a lot of fun.”

After getting out to a big lead early, the Angels tacked on with solo homers from Kavadas in the second and Ward in the fifth. It was the second career homer for Kavadas, who was acquired from the Red Sox at the Trade Deadline for Luis García and has had trouble making contact early in his Major League career. But power is his calling card, and he didn’t miss a 3-1 fastball for his first-ever blast at home.

It was Ward’s turn three innings later, and much like Moniak, he’s been red hot lately. His solo blast marked his third straight game with a homer, and he’s gone deep in four of his last five games. It also extended his hitting streak to a career-long 14 games, which is the longest active streak in the American League.

“I feel really good,” Ward said. “I feel like I was back in 2022, when every swing decision I made, I would find the barrel and some success. I've been feeling really good mechanically. I think that's really just the biggest thing.”

Washington was impressed by the way his club performed against a contending team. They’ll have two more such challenges this season. They have a three-game set in Minnesota from Monday to Wednesday, and they face the first-place Astros from Sept. 19 to Sept. 22 in Houston.

“Every time we play a playoff team, it’s like we’re in the playoffs,” Washington said. “So they get a chance to feel what it’s like. Because one day, we will be in the playoffs. When we play good teams, we seem to play better baseball. Now, we’ve got to learn how to play that same baseball, no matter what.”