ANAHEIM — Sam Aldegheri, the first-ever major league pitcher born and raised in Italy, had a rough debut for the Angels, giving up seven runs (two earned) over five innings in a 9-5 loss to the Seattle Mariners. The Italy native struggled in the first inning, allowing five unearned runs after a critical error by shortstop Zach Neto. Despite the tough start, Aldegheri settled in and retired seven straight batters after the first inning.
On the offensive side, the Angels managed to stay in the game with home runs from Taylor Ward, Mickey Moniak, and Brandon Drury. Neto also tried to make amends by stealing two bases and scoring a run for the Angels. However, the team fell short as they lost for the eighth time in their last nine games.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Angels manager Ron Washington remains optimistic about the team’s future, especially with their top pitching prospect, 20-year-old right-hander Caden Dana, set to make his major league debut on Sunday. Washington advises young pitchers like Aldegheri and Dana to “keep it normal” and trust in their abilities as they navigate the challenges of the major leagues.
While Aldegheri’s debut did not go as planned, the Angels have another opportunity to make a strong first impression with Dana taking the mound. Fans will be eagerly watching to see how the young pitcher handles the pressure and competes at the highest level of baseball.
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