Backed by new Angels, Silseth makes his starting case

ATLANTA -- It was just two days ago that right-hander Chase Silseth was told that he’d be heading back to the bullpen after the Angels acquired starting pitcher Lucas Giolito in a trade with the White Sox.

But after right-hander Griffin Canning was scratched from his start against the high-powered Braves on Monday because of what Canning described as “general soreness,” Silseth stepped in and hurled five strong innings in a spot start to lift the Angels to a 4-1 win at Truist Park. It was an impressive showing on short notice against the Braves, who have the best record in the Majors and have scored the most runs in the National League.

It helped the Angels (56-51) move to within three games of the Blue Jays in the American League Wild Card chase. They’re also 4 1/2 games behind the Rangers and four games behind the Astros in the AL West.

The Angels are likely to remain aggressive and could add even more before Tuesday’s 3 p.m. PT Trade Deadline. The team’s new additions came through to back Silseth, as Randal Grichuk homered, C.J. Cron added an RBI single and Reynaldo López picked up a five-out save.

“It's awesome,” Silseth said. “When you bring guys in just ready to win -- and they played a big part tonight, too -- when you see that, it just brings the confidence up even more. We’re trying to make a run at it, and it's fun.”

Silseth allowed one run on three hits and struck out four without walking a batter. He was efficient, throwing just 63 pitches, but the Angels turned to the bullpen in the sixth because his velocity was declining and the Braves were about to have the top of their order up for a third time.

It’s unclear what’s next for Silseth, as Canning could make his next start. But it marks two solid outings in a row for Silseth, who struck out 10 and allowed one run over 5 2/3 innings against the Yankees on July 19.

“Silseth was great,” Angels manager Phil Nevin said. “We told him yesterday he had a chance to start today, and he got the official word this morning. Maybe that helps. I don’t know. But we have some decisions to make.”

The one run he allowed came on a homer from Matt Olson in the fifth inning. All-Star third baseman Austin Riley came away impressed by Silseth and said he believes he has the stuff to start.

“He had a really good fastball that had some life to it and good movement,” Riley said. “He also threw a really good curveball. I thought I was all over the one that I hit to left [in the fourth] and it didn't seem to get there. Yeah, he should be starting."

Silseth was handed an early lead, as Luis Rengifo led off the game with a homer off Charlie Morton and Grichuk hit a solo blast in the fourth in his Angels debut.

Grichuk, who was acquired along with Cron from the Rockies on Sunday night, became the first Angels player to homer in his club debut since Anthony Rendon in 2020. And it came 14 years after he was originally drafted by the Angels with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2009 Draft, one spot ahead of superstar Mike Trout.

Cron, who played with the Angels from 2014-17, added an RBI single in the ninth inning to give the Angels an insurance run.

“Both guys played big roles,” Nevin said. “The home run by Grichuk, Cron’s add-on. He also plays a good first base. They both had a long day flying in from Colorado, but any time you can add something or contribute in your first game, it’s big.”

Catcher Chad Wallach also hit a solo shot in the sixth that traveled a Statcast-projected 441 feet, and he fell a triple short of the cycle. Wallach helped guide relievers José Soriano (1 1/3 innings), Aaron Loup (one inning) and López (1 2/3 innings) through four scoreless frames, with top setup reliever Matt Moore and closer Carlos Estévez unavailable due to their recent usage.

“It's exciting,” Wallach said. “We're in the playoff push, and any time you're in that, it's always fun baseball. These guys are fitting in really well. It’s just nice to have them. We think we can beat any team. That’s how good I think we are. We can play with anybody.”