Michigan v. Ohio State. Muhammad Ali v. Joe Frazier. North Carolina v. Duke.
John Lackey v. Zach Greinke.
It was a much anticipated pitching duel on the bump in Kansas City this weekend, and it sure lived up to the hype. Both hurlers convinced their respective coaches to let them stay in longer than better judgment would have, and it made for an exciting finish. In the end, each would give up a single run, pushing the game into extra innings where Kansas City's bullpen would lay another egg that the Halos took advantage of. John Lackey allowed his only run in the first inning, and then put the clamps down, going into the bottom of the 9th inning with less than 90 pitches. He would finish his above average day with 9 innings of 1 run ball, allowing 6 to reach base (6 hits and NO walks), and punching out 4 from KC. Everyone's favorite Cy Young contender, Greinke, finished 8 innings of 1 run ball, giving up 8 hits and getting 8 strikeouts, while walking 2. The Royals ace didn't give up a run until the eighth inning, when he allowed a two out runners on the corners RBI single to Torii Hunter that tied the game, and sent it into extras. The Angels had runners on the corners with 0 outs in the 8th, down by one, and the Royals manager came out to remove Greinke. ZG convinced his coach to let him finish, and it looked like a genius move. The pitcher got Abreu and Vlad out before Torii Hunter ripped a pitch into left center to tie the game. The rest of the game was a bullpen battle, and the combination of Kevin "I'm all the sudden good" Jepsen and Brian Fuentes was better than Soria (although, he was really good), Yabuta (earning the loss and the best name of the game award), and Jamey Wright (who allowed the game winning hit by EA Sports). It was Erick Aybar delivering the game winning single in the eleventh to score (guess who?) Big Game that would win the game. BFF earned his MLB leading 39th save of the year (Frankie has 29!). EA was the offensive hero, going 3 for 4 with a walk and the big RBI, and was joined in the VIP club by Hunter (2 for 5 with a RBI and run) and Kendry "Bam Bam" Morales (2 for 5, despite 2 Ks).
The Rangers lost, so the 80-54 Angels are now 4.5 games up on the AL West's second best. Seattle sits 9 back, with Oakland back 21.5. The four game series with the Royals continues tomorrow morning as Joey Saunders (11-7, 5.02) goes up against Luke Hochevar (6-8, 5.74). Hochevar would love to get a win, with his birthday coming up on 9/15, but recent history hasn't been kind to the Royals Colorado native. The Royals have dropped the last 7 starts by Luke, and they are just 2-8 in his last 10 starts. Ouch. Meanwhile, Big Joe Saundo has been turning things around, going 3-1 in his last 4 starts, including his most recent outing being a gem (7 innings of 3 hit shutout ball against Seattle). Hopefully our favorite V Tech native can set us up for a sweep.
Am I the only one around Angels Nation who didn't know that Kendry Morales' nickname is "Bam Bam?" Evidently the nickname was started by Rex Hudler (hm, maybe that's why I haven't been using it), but it was made based on a translation error. Hudler noticed that K-Mo was listening to his iPod and asked him who he was listening to. Morales responded by naming his favorite Cuban band, "Van Van." Hudler, most likely due to being tore up on weed, thought that he said "Bam Bam," and decided that it was the perfect nickname for the Cuban slugger. Going .312/30/94 so far this season, and (BAM!) the name sticks. I think I can officially say that "I told you so" when it comes to the success of Morales this season, and it sure is fun watching it happen. Keep it up, Bam Bam.
After the game today, and due to most of his season, I just want to make my quick pitch for the Angels needing to keep John Lackey beyond this season. A lost of Angels Nation saw the Kazmir move as proof that the Angels were going to let John Lackey walk after his $10 million season here in 2009, but I really saw it more as making our rotation one of the most incredible starting 5 in all of baseball here in '09 and '10, and it includes John Lackey. This season, another slightly injury plagued one, has seen Gigantic John go 9-7 with a 3.74 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. The Angels have gone 6-4 over his last two, including winning his last two starts where he's gone a combined 17 innings of 2 run ball (1 earned). Most wouldn't agree, but I feel that Lackey is easily the strongest pitcher in the starting 5. In the post-All Star break part of the season, John has his BAA at a nice .218, and had his best month in July (.186). How about day games? He's holding a 4-1 record and a 1.39 ERA. The guy is a stud, just admit it. Letting Lackey go would be a sin. A mortal sin. The fact that the Angels exercised Lackey's '09 option, rather than signing the contract extension back in October has me a little worried that they aren't going to sign the guy. But, look at the guy's records for us since 2002: 9-4, 10-16 (okay, 2003 was tough), 14-13, 14-5, 13-11, 19-9 (gotta love '07), 12-5, and 9-7 (this year). Plus, he's a stud with the ladies. Sign him, I made my point.
Farewell doofus.
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