Angels sweep Reds behind Nolasco’s CG

ANAHEIM — The Angels didn’t need Mike Trout and Albert Pujols to complete a three-game sweep of the Reds on Wednesday.

Ricky Nolasco fired a shutout, C.J. Cron collected two hits and two RBIs and Jefry Marte drove in a run for a 3-0 victory at Angel Stadium, extending the Angels’ win streak to five games. It marks the club’s longest streak since starting the second half 6-0 with sweeps of the White Sox and Rangers.

“It’s definitely nice and a good feeling to be out there trying to get the last out,” said Nolasco, who recorded 12 straight outs to end the game and cap his first complete-game shutout in nearly four years. “I was just trying to be efficient and fill up the strike zone, not walk anybody. We made some good plays behind me and scored some runs when we needed to, and that was good.”

Brandon Finnegan produced a quality start for the Reds, who have now lost four in a row and eight of their last 10 games, but he was outdueled by Nolasco. Finnegan struck out nine and walked none in seven innings, allowing two runs in the sixth inning that proved to be the difference.

The Angels rested Trout, a candidate for American League MVP, and Pujols, the Majors’ active home run leader, as the team played its 22nd game in the last 23 days. It was the first time since Sept. 14, 2014, that Trout and Pujols were both held out of the lineup. More >

Nolasco scattered four hits, struck out seven and walked none. He retired 16 of the final 17 batters he faced.

During their 1-5 road trip, the one Reds win was a 13-0 victory over Arizona on Saturday. In their five losses, they scored a combined nine runs. It was the eighth time Cincinnati has been swept in a series this season, but the first since July 8-10 at …

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