OC Register: Dylan Bundy continues resurgence, leads Angels to victory against Mariners

[AngelsWin.com]

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  Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani (17) watches his solo home run as Seattle Mariners catcher Joe Hudson, right, looks on during the second inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

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  With photos of fans filling the seats at Safeco Field, Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani flies out to center field to end the top the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

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  Anthony Rendon #6 of the Los Angeles Angels smiles as he is greeted by Max Stassi #33 after being forced home from third to score on a bases-loaded hit by pitch from Taijuan Walker #99 of the Seattle Mariners during the fourth inning at T-Mobile Park on August 6, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)

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  Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout reacts during an at-bat in the seventh inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

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  Tommy La Stella #9 of the Los Angeles Angels hits an RBI single during the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on August 6, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)

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  Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the second inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

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  Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, right, greets teammate Max Stassi after scoring on a sacrifice fly by Stassi in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

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  Daniel Vogelbach #20 of the Seattle Mariners is greeted by Evan White #12 after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at T-Mobile Park on August 6, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)

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  Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels is greeted by teammates after scoring on a single by Tommy La Stella #9 during the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on August 6, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)

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  Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani gets out of the way of a pitch during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

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  Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels returns to the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the second inning against Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on August 6, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)

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  Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Dylan Bundy throws against the Seattle Mariners during the seventh inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

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  Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani hits a solo home run as Seattle Mariners catcher Joe Hudson looks on during the second inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

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  Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Dylan Bundy throws against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

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  SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 06: Dylan Bundy #37 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches during the second inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on August 6, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)

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  Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani (17) watches his solo home run as Seattle Mariners catcher Joe Hudson, right, looks on during the second inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

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Early in his first season with the Angels, Dylan Bundy is showing the Angels exactly what they hoped they’d see.

Bundy pitched the Angels’ first complete game in more than two years, leading them to a 6-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday afternoon in Seattle. Bundy has a 2.08 ERA through his first three starts.

Bundy got the support of Shohei Ohtani, who homered in his first game after learning he was done pitching for this year, a three-run rally in the fourth and another homer from revitalized Max Stassi, and that was enough for the Angels to win their first series of the season.

Bundy gave up a homer to Daniel Vogelbach, but otherwise he allowed only three hits and no walks. He struck out 10.

He needed 107 pitches to throw the Angels’ first complete game since Andrew Heaney in June 2018.

The Angels acquired Bundy in December from the Baltimore Orioles, who never saw the former top prospect meet his potential. He had a 4.67 ERA with the Orioles.

Although the sample size is still far too small to determine if Bundy is really enjoying a breakout or just off to a good start, it’s worth noting that he has changed his approach on the mound.

Bundy has thrown fastballs with just 33.7 percent of his pitches this season, including 39.3 percent on Thursday. He’s been dropping that percentage steadily over the past few years, down to 42.4 percent last year.

He throws sliders often to righties and changeups to lefties, which has kept hitters off balance this season. The Mariners mostly struck out or put the ball in play softly on Thursday.

Bundy was able to pitch with a lead from the second inning on, thanks to Ohtani.

Ohtani hadn’t played on Tuesday or Wednesday, after getting the diagnosis that a forearm strain would keep him from pitching this year. He hit an opposite-field homer in his first at-bat of the game on Thursday.

It was reminiscent of the day in September 2018 when Ohtani hit two homers the day he learned he needed Tommy John surgery.

After that, the Angels knocked out Seattle starter Taijuan Walker with a three-run rally in the fourth, including three walks and a hit batter. Stassi drove in one of the runs with a sacrifice fly.

Stassi drove in two more with a homer in the eighth. It was his fourth homer of the young season. Stassi retooled his swing after he hit .167 last season, including .071 with the Angels.

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