Angels fail to capitalize on best offensive opportunity in loss to Braves – Daily News

ANAHEIM – Jack Kochanowicz could have won if his teammates had supported him as well at the plate as they did on the field.

A few nice defensive plays helped the Angels’ rookie right-hander get through six innings with just two runs on the scoreboard, but it wasn’t enough. The Angels lost 3-1 to the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.

“We couldn’t execute,” manager Ron Washington said. “They executed it in their situations and we couldn’t execute it.”

The Angels didn’t get a single hit against Braves starter Charlie Morton until the fifth inning, when Brandon Drury hit a ball to first off the fence in right-center. Matt Thaiss then got a walk and Jo Adell hit a single, loading the bases.

Mickey Moniak was hit in the foot by a pitch and scored a run that reduced the deficit to 2-1.

That was all the Angels could accomplish, though. Michael Stefanic fouled out on a bunt on a suicide squeeze attempt. Then he hit a foul popup. (Although Thaiss ran from third base on the second pitch, Washington said there was no squeeze at the time.) Taylor Ward then hit a ground ball that led to a double play that ended the inning.

“All we have to do is get something in the air and we’ll create a ground ball double play,” Washington said.

Except for the sixth inning, the Angels (53-71) did not have a single batter with a runner in scoring position all day.

Aside from the missed opportunity in the fifth inning, Washington said the main problem was that the Angels didn’t see through Morton.

“Charlie was in command,” Washington said. “I don’t think some of the guys in that clubhouse have ever seen a spin like that, and he spun it.”

This was a heavy loss for Kochanowicz.

It could have been a worse day for him, as he allowed seven hits and walked three.

Despite the traffic, it was Kochanowicz’s second straight good start after allowing two runs in 7 2/3 innings last Sunday in Washington.

“I just didn’t have the best feel for my offspeed, but the sinker was moving well enough,” Kochanowicz said. “I just wish I hadn’t had to find it so early.”

Washington said it was a good learning experience for the 23-year-old.

“He didn’t really have his best stuff, but he was able to hold his own, and that gives him courage to understand that he can fight even when he doesn’t have his best stuff,” Washington said. “That’s not a weak lineup, and he held up without his best stuff.”