Although second baseman Luis Rengifo, who has been having trouble with his fielding lately, made a crucial error with two outs in the sixth inning, it was still the best start of right-hander José Soriano’s young career.

In six innings, Soriano struck out a career-high seven batters, but in a 3-0 defeat to the Reds on Sunday afternoon at Great American Ball Park, he gave up three unearned runs. The Angels, who were swept in three games and have now lost four straight, with one run or fewer scored in three of those defeats, had an offense that was likewise almost nonexistent.

Angels manager Ron Washingtоn stated, “You saw what Soriano was doing out there, but then you don’t handle the baseball and the next thing you know they have three runs.” “We erred in judgment. A third was out there. They scored three runs after they didn’t handle the ball. Without a doubt, we must handle the baseball. Additionally, we must score some runs. We must begin providing our pitchers with some оffensive support.

After pitching in relief last year and in long relief early this season, Soriano was making his third career start. He was impressive, starting the game with 5 1/3 innings without allowing a Һit.

Throughout five innings, he tossed 71 pitches, getting ahead of hitters and striking out 20 of the 25 batters he faced with a first pitch strike. Even while his speed had decreased slightly, his exceptional abilities were still visible. He threw his knuckle curve 36 times, but his four-seamer only averaged 98.2 mph, down from his annual average of 99.4. It still reached 100.2 mph. His curve showed eight called strikes and seven swings and misses, indicating its effectiveness.

Soriano remarked, speaking through interpreter Manny Del Campo, “I felt great.” “Almost all of the pitches were working, but the curveball in particular.”

For the first time in his starting career, Soriano pitched into the sixth inning. He got the first out of the inning by striking out Will Benson with a curveball. However, Soriano gave up his first Һit on a first pitch fastball, an infield single to the swift Elly De La Cruz.