Soriano works around 'bad luck' inning in first start

ANAHEIM -- After starting the season in the bullpen as a multi-inning relief specialist, it didn’t take long for right-hander José Soriano to get moved into the rotation to make his first career Major League start.

But it didn’t exactly go to plan against the Rays on Wednesday, as Soriano struggled out of the gate, allowing three runs in a tough-luck first inning of a 4-2 loss in the series finale at Angel Stadium. Soriano, who was on a limited pitch count, went four innings and surrendered four runs on six hits. But he showed some encouraging signs after an opening frame that featured two infield singles and a wild pitch, and struck out six without issuing a walk.

“I thought he looked really good,” catcher Matt Thaiss said. “Just some really bad luck. One ball did leave the infield but three didn’t and they scored three runs. Other than that, I thought it was excellent and pounded the zone. I think he’ll build on it and become an excellent starter for us.”

Soriano looked unhittable in his first relief appearance of the season against the Orioles on March 31, throwing three scoreless frames with his fastball reaching as high as 101 mph. But he wasn’t as sharp in his second outing against the Red Sox on Friday, as he gave up three runs over three innings in an 8-6 loss.

He was expected to remain in that bullpen role, until right-hander Chase Silseth was placed on the 15-day injured list on Monday with right elbow inflammation. Soriano was moved to the rotation as a result, although it could be temporary, as Silseth’s MRI exam showed no structural damage and he’s hopeful he’ll be back within three weeks.

Soriano was previously a starting pitcher as a top prospect in the Minor Leagues before undergoing Tommy John surgery twice. But he recovered successfully and pitched exclusively in relief last season, posting a 3.64 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 42 innings.

The 25-year-old was expected to be one of the club’s top setup relievers, but the Angels believe he has the stuff and frame to be a starting pitcher.

“It feels great,” Soriano said through interpreter Manny Del Campo of his opportunity to start, “I started as a reliever here last year and it feels great to be in a rotation. I want to throw a lot of innings and try to help the team win.”

His stuff certainly wasn’t the problem against the Rays, as his four-seam fastball averaged 97.3 mph and reached as high as 100 mph. He also threw his power curveball 33 times and it averaged 87.6 mph while registering seven swings and misses.

But he had a tough first inning that put the Angels in a hole they couldn’t recover from. Yandy Díaz singled on the first pitch of the game and just two pitches later, Randy Arozarena hit a comebacker that went off Soriano for an infield single.

Richie Palacios followed with another comebacker that Soriano couldn’t handle and it loaded the bases with nobody out. Soriano then uncorked a wild pitch that Thaiss couldn’t find, which allowed two runs to score and Palacios to reach third, and Palacios scored on a sacrifice fly from Isaac Paredes.

Soriano got through the first but was welcomed to the second with a leadoff homer from José Caballero on a 1-0 fastball near the top of the zone.

From there, though, he settled down to get through four innings and keep the Angels in the game.

“I had a little bit of trouble at the beginning, but I didn’t let that affect me,” Soriano said. “I just didn’t want them to score more. I wanted to keep my team in a good position.”

But the offense was again flat, scoring just once against right-hander Zack Littell despite his trouble finding the strike zone. Jo Adell connected on his first homer of the season, a solo shot off reliever Kevin Kelly in the sixth, but he also had a costly caught stealing after overrunning the bag to end the eighth.