With the bases loaded in the ninth, the Angels needing just a well placed base knock to walk off with a win against Boston, I was all ready to drop a LSF post with the title "This is Howie do it." It was clever, it was solid, and I guess it wasn't meant to be. An attempt at a ninth inning comeback didn't come true, as the Halos stranded the bases loaded with a one run deficit (thank to an earlier ninth inning jack by Big Game), and dropped the game to the Sox 4-5.
I don't know if it's too soon, but I was also going to have a title of Angels fail to win 159 straight for Nick. Too soon? The Halos jumped out to a nice 2-0 lead after three innings, with a run on a ground out by Bobby Abreu in the first scoring Chone Figgins and a jack in the third by Mike Napoli. First off, it made me frustrated that the announcers on Fox Nation said, "Now that's Angels baseball," when the Angels produced two ground outs to get Figgins home in the first. Then I had mega-mixed emotions about the Mike Napoli jack, which he would repeat in inning number 5. I don't like the guy, and as you know he has been my least favorite Angel for some time now. But, after he hit that jack, and Fox Nation told us that Napolini has the best HR/AB rating of any catcher in the history of baseball, I was flat out shocked. Better than Piazza and Roy Campanella? Really? How is that even possible? Well, Joey Saunders (getting a shot in the Halos' fifth game because of the postponement with the A's) gave up a respectable two run jack to Mike Lowell in the fifth with Bay on base, and then Scioscia showed his old colors leaving Saunders in too long, leading to another two run homer by the Sox (this time by Bay with Baldelli on base). With the score at 3-4, Trail, BC native Jason Bay jacked his second of the game to match Napoli, and give the Red Sox a 2 run lead heading into the bottom of the ninth. By the way, it was none other than Justin "Not of this world" Speier starting the trade rumor by giving up the big jack in the ninth. If it wouldn't have been allowed, it would have been a totally different story. Torii Hunter started off the bottom of the ninth with a bomb off Papelbon, and the drama started. Morales got a double, Napoli walked, and Figgins walked. With the bases loaded and two outs, down by one, my man and Jacksonville native Howie "HK-47" Kendrick stepped up with a chance to be a hero. Despite a crazy at bat, including taking two strikes before fouling off seven consecutive pitches, Papelbon got HK to line out to right field to end the game at a 4-5 Angel loss. 40,163 fans went home disappointed.
With their 2-3 record, the Los Halos are now tied for the bottom spot in the AL West. It may be early, but a 1.5 games deficit is always significant in baseball. Plus, the +1 run differential isn't too hot so far either. So far, the Angels are the #1 team on the American League in terms of stolen bases, which is impressive, and also lead the league in quality starts, which is even better. But, when you get 4 quality starts out of 5 games and end up with a 2-3 record, something just isn't working. Either the bullpen (wink wink) or the offense (quiet silence) aren't quite pulling their weight yet. I think the most underrated problem that the Angels may face this season is their bullpen. Can anyone disagree? We're looking at Arredondo, Bulger, Fuentes, Jepsen, Oliver, Shields, and Speier. 3 out of 7 ain't great. I'll let the debate begin on the three I'm talking about. I'll also point out the names of our four players hitting .300+: Napoli (.667), Mathis (.400), Morales (.368), and Abreu (.300). Interesting, eh?
Tomorrow's rubber match should be an interesting one. We have an early afternoon home bash between the Halos and the Sox, and when you look at the pitching match up you have to start wishing for a miracle. The Angels hand the ball to Dustin "Eh" Moseley and his 4.50 ERA. In his first game of 2009, Moseley pitched 6 innings of 3 run ball, which was bad, but he earned a no decision. Josh Beckett will be the man opposing him, and Beckett holds a 1-0 record with a 1.29 ERA after pitching 7 innings and giving up just a single run to Tampa Bay. In his career against Boston (2 games, 1 being a start), our boy Moseley holds an ERA of 8.10. The BAA? .393. Hold onto your hats Angels Nation, it might be a bumpy rubber match (by the way, baseball-reference.com is totally better this season than it used to be).
Time for my "Take That!" of the post: Dustin Pedroia went 0 for 4. I guess that Playstation video game commercial is right. High and inside, right Pedroia? TAKE THAT! We'll finish with the LSFISP of the post. Today's Irish slang is windy, which is slang for "weak looking and possibly gay." Example: "Nice day at the plate Pedroia, ya' feckin' windy thicko." Feel free to use it.
As I walk off, I'd like to point out that the Andrew/Jon/Brandon post strike is now at 46 days. Can you guys push 50?
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