Soriano uses sinker to impress and prove worth

SEATTLE -- Right-hander José Soriano keeps proving it was the right call to convert him back to a starting pitcher this season after a breakout rookie year in relief in 2023.

Last time out, on July 13, Soriano hung in there for six strong innings in a pitchers’ duel against tough Mariners right-hander George Kirby. He followed it up by outdueling All-Star right-hander Logan Gilbert in a 5-1 victory over Seattle on Tuesday night at T-Mobile Park. Soriano was efficient, throwing 100 pitches over 7 2/3 innings and allowing just one run on three hits and three walks.

“He was outstanding,” manager Ron Washington said. “We needed everything he gave us. It would’ve been even nicer if he could’ve got us through the eighth. See how greedy I am now? But no, he was able to go out there and have some nice innings and make pitches when he had to.”

This outing is tied for Soriano's second-longest start of the year. He went eight frames against the D-backs on June 12. On Tuesday, Soriano struck out five while his power sinker, which averaged 97.4 mph and reached 99.9 mph, induced so much weak contact that he could get quick outs.

His sinker helped him escape a jam in the fifth with minimal damage. After the Angels rallied for five runs in an error-filled frame by the Mariners, Soriano put runners at the corners with nobody out. But he got Cade Marlow to ground into a run-scoring double play before getting Josh Rojas to ground out softly to second to end the inning. It was one of 10 ground-ball outs induced by Soriano, and he credited Washington for helping by visiting the mound.

“He went out there and told me to keep my mind focused,” Soriano said through interpreter Manny Del Campo. “And that we have the lead, so take it one pitch at a time.”

Washington said he simply wanted to remind him to throw strikes and to use that sinking fastball to his advantage.

“It’s his bread and butter,” Washington said. “He has other pitches to equalize things, like his splitter and curveball, but the sinker is his pitch. He got 10 ground balls, so it was an outstanding outing for him.”

But Soriano did run into trouble in the eighth inning, exiting with two runners on and two outs after giving up a one-out single and a two-out walk. Flamethrowing rookie reliever Ben Joyce came in and walked the bases loaded but got Jorge Polanco to fly out to deep center to quell the scoring threat.

Soriano improved to 6-7 with a 3.51 ERA in 18 appearances (16 starts) this year. He's struck out 77, walked 37 and allowed eight homers in 95 innings. It's been quite a jump in innings for the 25-year-old, who threw 42 innings in the Majors and 23 1/3 frames in the Minors last year.

The Angels will continue to monitor him going forward, but there are no immediate plans to reduce his workload. He was a starter as a top prospect in the Minor Leagues before undergoing Tommy John surgery twice, and they believe he has the frame at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds to shoulder the increase in innings.

The club was also cautious with him when he dealt with an abdominal infection in late June, which caused him to miss 12 games. But he’s looked strong since his return from the injured list, posting a 3.57 ERA in 22 2/3 innings over his last four starts.

“I feel great,” Soriano said. “I’m making progress every outing. We’re getting to my goals.”

Soriano was helped by a wild fifth frame sparked by singles from Logan O’Hoppe and Nolan Schanuel. The Mariners then made several miscues, including first baseman Tyler Locklear not being able to scoop a throw for an error to load the bases.

Gilbert uncharacteristically walked Mickey Moniak on four pitches to bring in the game’s first run. Zach Neto dropped down a bunt that Gilbert fielded, but he made a wild throw home that allowed two more runs to score. In his first game back from the IL, Luis Rengifo made him pay further with a two-run single with two outs.

“Sometimes you'd like to see that in baseball, especially when it's on your side,” Washington said. “Neto dropped a bunt down trying to make something happen and it turned out to be five runs. Sometimes those things happen.”