Angels' Samuel Aldegheri, first Italian pitcher, takes a loss

Samuel Aldegheri, first pitcher raised in Italy to reach majors, struggles in Angels’ loss

Angels starting pitcher Samuel Aldegheri prepares to throw during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners.

Associated Press

Aug. 30, 2024 Updated 10:47 PM PT

Victor Robles had three hits and drove in two runs, Julio Rodríguez homered for the second straight game and the Seattle Mariners opened a 10-game road trip with a 9-5 victory over the Angels on Friday night.

“Great way to start the road trip, for sure. Putting pressure on them early on and giving our pitchers a chance to to get into the ballgame,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “Offense continues to roll, and it’s a good sign and good to see.”

The Mariners scored five times in the first to ruin the debut of Angels left-hander Samuel Aldegheri, who became the first player born and raised in Italy to pitch in a major league game.

Aldegheri (0-1) ended up giving up seven runs (two earned) on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts in five innings. Aldegheri, called up from double-A Rocket City on Friday, was acquired last month in the trade that sent closer Carlos Estévez to Philadelphia.

“I had a hard time in the first inning but I thought I bounced back pretty good. I’m happy. First time I was kind of nervous, but I’m happy,” Aldegheri said.

George Kirby (10-10) gave up five runs in 5-2/3 innings for the Mariners, who have won four of five.

“I wish I came out a little stronger. Didn’t throw my offspeed for strikes so was battling back in counts. Really glad the hitters stepped up and had my back,” Kirby said.

Taylor Ward, Mickey Moniak and Brandon Drury had solo homers for the Angels, who have dropped eight of nine. They are 55-80, the fourth-worst record in franchise history after 135 games.

The Mariners sent 11 to the plate in the first inning. With runners on second and third with two outs, it looked like Aldegheri was going to get out of the inning when Jorge Polanco hit a line drive at Zach Neto. However, it went off the Angels shortstop’s glove and two runs scored.

Mitch Garver’s bases-loaded double down the left-field line drove in two more. Robles, the ninth batter in the inning, followed with an RBI single to center to make it 5-0.

“After that first inning he came back and got us through five. He made some adjustments but early in the game he was trying to shoot strikes in there and they were jumping all over the fastball,” Angels manager Ron Washington said of Aldegheri.

The Angels responded with two in the bottom of the first. Ward had the fourth leadoff homer of his career and Nolan Schanuel hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Neto.

Rodríguez extended Seattle’s lead to 7-2 with a two-run shot in the fourth. It was the second time this season he has homered in consecutive games.

Moniak and Drury went deep to lead off the fifth. It’s the fifth time the Angels had back-to-back homers. They got within 7-5 on Drury’s RBI single.

Injury updates

Angels right-hander Ryan Miller left during the eighth inning because of a bruised left calf after taking a line drive from Randy Arozarena off his leg. ... Right-hander Carson Fulmer was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Tuesday, because of right elbow inflammation.