Jaime Barria stands firm on the hill as Angels beat Cubs

In 2023, the sample was small, but Jaime Barria has so far been one of Angels‘ the strongest and most reliable starters.

On Wednesday he helped the Angels 6-2 win above Chicago Cubs at Angel Stadium.

Originally a starter early in his career with the Angels, Barria moved to the bullpen last season. But in mid-May, he was of necessity put in the role of point guard starter, because José Suarez was on the injured list.

“I feel good. I got confidence from the first time,” Barria said in Spanish after the game.

“I think we go and try to win these games like [Anthony] Rendon said in an interview if we win 15, 16 or 17 games [a month] … I think we will argue.”

Barria had five innings, giving up two earned runs, three hits, and one walk with three strikeouts in 76 fields, 50 for strikes, as the Angels ended the streak.

“You just sit back and he throws a lot of punches,” manager Phil Nevin said of Barria.

“Each of our pitchers needs to focus when they’re on the hill. It’s just impressive.”

Both attempts by the Cubs came in first place in the fifth inning, the Angels temporarily lost a one-run lead thanks to Mike TroutSolo home run in the fourth.

It was Trout’s 14th home run of the season.

Barria left the game in fifth, but the Angels tied the game in the bottom of the half on a solo home run by Luis Rengifo.

The Angels then set up a four-run sixth inning against the Cubs when Rengifo (single with two runs) and Mickey Moniac (double with two runs) gave them a 6–2 lead. Pets Ben Joyce, Aaron Loop and Sam Bachman teamed up to keep the Cubs scoreless for the last four innings.

Rengifo observes the best results, which he attributes to positive thinking and aggressiveness. Both of his hits on Wednesday came on the first pitch.

“Every time you go there, you have to do your job,” Rengifo said.

“And today I hit the first innings and I was good for it.”