Ryan Johnson Shines in Best Start of Young Career as Angels Defeat Orioles

The Los Angeles Angels secured a 5-1 win against the Baltimore Orioles, thanks in large part to a stellar outing from right-hander Ryan Johnson, who recorded the best start of his young MLB career. Johnson pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out eight batters.

A Challenging Road

Johnson’s journey to this career-defining performance has been marked by adversity over the past two seasons. Drafted in the second round of the 2024 draft, he made his big league debut on Opening Day of the 2025 season as a reliever. After struggling in the bullpen, he was optioned to High-A Tri-City, where he found success as a starting pitcher. Johnson began the 2026 season in the big league rotation but was sidelined by injury after just one start. His return to the mound has been a “bumpy road,” including another stint in the minor leagues and a challenging 12.83 ERA in 13 ⅓ innings across two starts and three relief appearances.

Manager’s Support

Angels manager Kurt Suzuki acknowledged the difficulties Johnson has faced. “I think this year was tough early,” Suzuki said. “When he had that one start in Chicago, and then he got sick, and then he got hurt, and then it was just kind of a whirlwind there. It was nice to see him get a couple of starts in a row and pitch well, going through what he’s gone through.”

Effective Pitching Arsenal

On Tuesday night, Johnson’s entire arsenal was on display. His sinker generated weak contact from Orioles hitters, while his changeup and sweeper proved particularly effective, inducing swings and misses at a 50% clip each. “Just staying aggressive and kind of trusting it,” Johnson said of his approach. “Having confidence that I belong here and being able to use all my pitches.”

Near No-Hitter

Johnson carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before Jeremiah Jackson broke it up with a one-out single. Johnson quickly refocused, inducing a ground ball for an inning-ending double play to conclude his outing. “Yeah, it’s nice, but it kind of leaves you with, ‘you’ve got to keep that going,’” Johnson reflected. “You have to prove that it’s not just a one-and-done.”

Angels’ Offensive Support

The Angels’ offense provided ample support for Johnson’s gem. Zach Neto singled in the first inning, setting up Nolan Schanuel’s two-run home run, his sixth of the season. Schanuel is currently on a six-game hitting streak, batting .375 during that span. “I think I just got my timing back,” Schanuel said. “I was dealing with stuff earlier in the year, and I think this is the best I’ve felt.”

In the fifth inning, the Angels extended their lead. After Neto doubled, Vaughn Grissom delivered a two-run single, and Jorge Soler added a sacrifice fly to bring home a third run in the inning. The bullpen then held the Orioles to just one run.

Key facts
| Category | Detail |
|—|—|
| Pitcher | Ryan Johnson |
| Performance | 6 scoreless innings, 1 hit, 1 walk, 8 strikeouts |
| Game Result | Angels 5, Orioles 1 |
| Season Record | Angels 33-48 |

This performance is significant for the Angels as they navigate the middle of their season. Johnson’s emergence as a reliable starter, even if temporary, provides a much-needed boost to the rotation and offers a positive outlook for the team’s pitching depth. For fans, it’s a glimpse of potential future success and a testament to perseverance in the face of setbacks.

Source: Yahoo Sports – https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/ryan-johnson-tosses-best-start-051125655.html

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