ANAHEIM -- While the Angels saw their eight-game win streak come to an end on Saturday, left fielder Taylor Ward kept up his impressive streak at the plate and set a club record in the process.
Ward connected on a double in the ninth inning, giving him an extra-base hit in 10 straight games to break Darin Erstad’s franchise record of nine straight games from April 7-18, 1998. Ward also had a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning of the 6-2 loss, giving him an RBI in a career-high eight straight games, which is the longest streak by an Angel since Jared Walsh's 10-game streak from Sept. 6-18, 2020.
“That was huge for him,” manager Ron Washington said. “But we just didn’t muster any type of offense tonight or put a threat on. We certainly didn’t.”
Ward provided most of the offense for the Angels, who had been on fire heading into the game. They had scored at least four runs during their eight-game winning streak, while averaging 7.6 runs per game.
Ward became the first player to have an extra-base hit in 10 straight games since Anthony Rendon with the Nationals from April 2-13, 2019. And the first American League player to do it since Francisco Lindor with Cleveland from Sept. 7-17, 2017. The all-time record is 14 consecutive games, set by Chipper Jones (2006) and Paul Waner (1927). The AL record is 11, last done by Brian Dozier with Minnesota from June 18-30, 2016.
Ward, who has slashed .410/.457/.1.051 with six homers, five doubles, a triple and 16 RBIs during his streak, has credited his turnaround to facing Minor League pitching in live batting practice sessions in early May. He said after hitting a go-ahead grand slam on Thursday that his mechanics feel totally locked in.
“I feel like I can hit anything, to be honest,” said Ward, whose 15 homers rank as the tied for the fifth-most in the Majors. “The game is slow right now. And luck is on my side as well.”