Angels Score 8 in First Five Innings, Thump Mariners 9-3

Mariners rookie Yusei Kikuchi and LA Angels stud Shohei Otani were supposed to go toe-to-toe for the first time in the States Thursday night.

Angels Manager Brad Ausmus wanted Otani to skip one of the three lefties Seattle was throwing during the four-game series. Ausmus chose to skip Kikuchi.

Kikuchi and Otani met five times in Japan. Otani is a career 2-for-5 against his countryman, while striking out the three times against Kikuchi.

Overall, the game was hyped for a matchup that never came, and then Seattle failed to show up before LA had an 8-0 lead in the top of the 5th.

Dave Sims put it nicely to start the postgame coverage, “Not a good one tonight for the Mariners.” No, no it was not.

Winning Pitcher, (3-1) Félix Peña: 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 8 K, 3 BB

Losing Pitcher, (3-3) Yusei Kikuchi: 3.1 IP, 6 ER, 0 K, 2 BB

Game two of the Mariners and Angels four-game series is Friday night. Pregame coverage starts at 6 p.m. on 102.9/750 The Game.

Here are the highlights from the game:

Top 1st … Albert Pujols RBI Single, 1-0 Angels.

Top 2nd … Kole Calhoun Home Run, 2-0 Angels

Top 2nd … Mike Trout RBI Single, 3-0 Angels

In the top of the 3rd inning, the Mariners broadcast team was interviewing Kenny Mayne when Cesar Puello hit a Home Run.

The interview talked over the home run. 4-0 Angels.

Top 4th … Trout 2-RBI Single, 6-0 Angels.

Top 5th … Luis Rengifo 2-RBI Double, 8-0 Angels

Bottom 5th … Tim Beckham 2-Run Home Run, 8-2 Angels

Bottom 7th … Beckham RBI Ground Out, 8-3 Angels

Top 9th … Calhoun RBI Single, 9-3 Angels

Final Call, 9-3 Angels Win.

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