Man, Ervin Santana is a freaking stud. After busting out his no hitter last week, El Rosario came through with a complete game win against the Twins at the Stadium last night. 9 innings of 1 run ball, allowing 8 hits while punching out 7 and walking two. It was quite an encore to his no-no, and showed that he's able to effectively get out of jams and help carry the Halos to victory. Meanwhile, Mark Trumb hit a three run bomb deep to center to boost his rookie campaign homerun tally to an impressive 20. These guys deserve continued praise, and I'm up to the task of giving it to them (hat tip to Halos Heaven for the historical background).
What can I say abot Ervin? 2011 was scheduled to be a down year for him, and overall it has been (I've covered Ervin's "every other year" phenomenon at length in previous posts), however, these last two starts may be the sign of something amazing. First a no-no and then a complete game right after? He may still be just 7-8 on the season, but these are the kind of wins that can turn around the campaign of a young starter with a 3.32 ERA. With yesterday's effort, Santana became the first Angel to follow a no hitter with a complete game since Nolan Ryan did it in 1975. I'm not trying to compare Erv to Nolan, but I think looking at what he's doing in historical context makes us appreciate it more. In fact, it has been 20 years since ANY pitcher in the entire MLB has followed a no-no with a complete game gem, as Tommy Greene was the last to do so way back in 1991.
Ervin is slowly turning some heads, and that's great for the team, when it comes to getting some play outside of the local atmosphere. He's looking like one head of what is developing into a three headed monster. In their last seven starts, the Weaver-Haren-Santana trio are 6-1 with a 1.16 ERA. Now, I'm not suggesting that Erv is going to be able to keep this up over a larger sample size, though I would really like to see that happen. I'm just saying to enjoy the ride while it lasts.
Meanwhile, rookie of the year candidate Mark Trumbo went 1 for 4 last night, but that one hit was a game deciding 3-run bomb that travelled 457 feet into center. The swing was effortless (per my Dad's analysis via text message) and his 20 homeruns show that he was more than ready for the show (Kendrys is shaking on his one good leg). Mark has now driven in at least a run in each of his last eight hits, has driven in 14 over the last 11 games, and leads the entire team in HR and RBI (sorry, Torii). He has become only one of six Halo rookies to hit 20, and he's the first since Timmy did it in '93. And it's only August.
Trumbo has been more impressive than I could have imagined, and while we're always quick to point out how our prospects never pan out (Wood, McPherson, Mathis, et al), we need to focus big time on them when they do work out. Way to go, Mark.
Vernon Wells went 2 for 3 in the game, as well. Can you believe that he has raised his batting average to a stellar .216? Wow!
The Angels are only a game back! Watch out, Texas. At 60-50, we have a chance to get a piece of the division lead as early as tonight (go Tigers go!). Oakland is 12 back and Seattle is 13.5 off the lead. The series with the Twinkies continues at the Stadium tonight, as Jo Jo (5-5, 4.91) goes against Scott "Never Trust A Guy With a Last Name That Is Also A Profession" Baker (8-6, 2.86). La Piñata has been having a well-documented off and on season, and I am on the record with saying that if the Angels are going to be a success in the playoffs (again, if they make it that far), Piñero is going to have to get his stuff sorted out. The Twins' Baker has been underrated this season, holding down a 2.86 ERA in spite of a so-so 8-6 record, but he flat out sucks against the Halos (1-5, 4.49). Let's hope the suckfest continues.
On my way out, I'd like to give props to Big Baby for appealing his unwarrante 6 game suspension, and poops to Garden Grove native Bert Blyleven for rocking the Twinkies cap in Cooperstown.
Go Angels.
-- Sent from my Palm Prē
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