Remember when you were a kid playing Little League and your coach would tell you that a walk was as good as a hit? And remember how you shrugged that off and swung anyway because hitting the ball was more fun? Yeah, you shouldn’t have done that.
Chris Iannetta didn’t do that. Kole Calhoun didn’t do that and the net result was a win for the Angels that required no actual use of a bat. Clearly they listened to their Little League coach.
Run Expectancy Rundown
It was another struggle offensively for the Angels. For whatever reason, they just haven’t been able to get things going since the break, but it doesn’t look like there is any systemic issue, other than Josh Hamilton having all of the suck. On the plus side, Erick Aybar looked excellent and nobody was gripping or being overaggressive with the game on the line, leading to the walks by Iannetta and Calhoun.
The Orioles didn’t get much going either, but of course Adam Jones played a big role, as he did all series. The real key though was not letting Nelson Cruz or J.J. Hardy get going, take a big bit out of the middle of the Oriole lineup.
Starting Pitcher Scores
Jered Weaver was just superb in this one. The only thing he didn’t do well was hold David Lough on to prevent the stolen base that led to the second run. Chris Tillman was solid as well, but wasn’t efficient enough, allowing the Angels to get to the bullpen early.
Bullpen Battle
Speaking of bullpens, Tommy Hunter really crapped the bed, with an assist to Buck Showalter and his questionable intentional walk choice. For the Angels, Huston Street notched his first save. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Game Flow
Things were trending down, down, down for the Angels but thing started going up, up up after the Aybar double. Freese and Kendrick striking out almost screw it up, but then the Calhoun walk gave them the win.
Halo Hero
Not only did he tie the game with his double, but his stolen base put the added pressure on the Orioles. I guess the groin must be OK.
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