During the war of the ring did Sauron or Saruman actually win any major battles?

I've recently re-read the Lord of the Rings and one thing that simply bugs me and makes Tolkien's books seem lesser is the fact Sauron and Saruman seem to lose every battle. I sincerely hope that I've missed some info or forgot some battles that Sauron or Saruman won, because like I said the fact that both always seems to lose kinda takes any danger away from the story.

Battles Saruman and Sauron both lose during war of the ring or slightly before (e.g. time of The Hobbit)

• Sauron defeated by white council


• Nazgul fail to capture ring at Weathertop (I know they thought they had finished Frodo off by stabbing him with a Morgul blade)


• Siege of Minas Tirith


• Battle of Helm's Deep


• Sauron personally losing a battle of wills with Gandalf when trying to pinpoint Frodo while he is wearing the ring at Amon Hen


• Saruman defeated by the Ents

Anyway you get my point, and I know that some defeats that both suffered couldn't be helped but the fact both never seem to win any battles takes a little bit away from LOTR for me.