An Angel win over the White Sox in which the Angels did just enough to get the win.
Los Angeles Angels of AWESOMENESS
- Torii Hunter picked a great time to hit a home run in three straight games. The Angels really could figure out Danks at all tonight, but he did make one mistake and, like a good clean-up hitter, Hunter made him pay for it.
- The value of the insurance run can never be underestimated. If not for Jayson Nix kicking the ball over the field in the eighth inning to allow the Angels to add to their lead, we would probably be deciding whether or not Brian Fuentes should be tarred and feathered or drawn and quartered right now.
- After a two-game sweep by the Rangers, the Halos really needed a win like this where they didn’t really do much but still manged to do just enough to get the victory. They’ve coughed up enough wins as it is already, so it is about damn time they caught a few breaks.
Angels of FAIL
- Mike Scioscia’s bullpen management is going to be the death of me. His blind allegiance to pre-defined bullpen roles continues to cost the Angels. Last night it was using Bell in the wrong inning and tonight it the Angels almost lost because of Scioscia’s insistence that Fuentes get all save opportunities. Even though Fernando Rodney had been used for just one batter, throwing five pitches, he brought Fuentes in for the ninth inning to face the big RIGHT-HANDED power hitters of the Chicago line-up. Sure enough, Tito got touched up for a homer by Paul Konerko. When is Scioscia going to learn that not only is Fuentes not the best reliever on the club, but that he can’t get out slugging righties? The guy has already given up four home runs in nine-plus innings this season. He needs to be demoted and demoted now.
- Someone needs to tell Torii Hunter that you can’t just decide that you are going to steal a base and make it so. His attempted swipe of third base made no sense. He didn’t get a good jump and there was a lefty at the plate. I know Pierzynski can’t throw, but you still have to be smart about your steal attempts. Hunter actually does this a lot and it is my one pet peeve with him.
Halo Hero of the Game
The old Joe is back!!!
Well, I’ll be damned, Saunders did it again. He might be coming around at long last. It was another strong performance for Joe who kept the White Sox in check all night long even though they have number of right-handed boppers in the line-up. The difference that I can see with him is that he isn’t pitching scared anymore and using both sides of the plate aggressively. As long as he maintains that mentality, he should be just fine going forward.
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