Boxscore Breakdown #33: Run, Albert, run! – Angels 5, Rockies 2

Albert Pujols‘ running helped the Angels win a game. That is a sentence that I never thought I would write. He stole a base ON PURPOSE. He stole a base without a throw. Not even one of those “fielder’s indifference” kind of things, he just straight ripped off the bag so badly that the Rockies didn’t even think it was worth the effort. He then capped it off by legging it out to score the go-ahead run on a single, beating the excellent arm of Carlos Gonzalez.

WHAT IS HAPPENING??!?!

This is the same Albert Pujols who is dealing with a hamstring injury still. This is the same Albert Pujols that was running like he had shards of glass in his feet even before he tweaked his hammy. This is the same Albert Pujols that CLEARLY should have been pinch-run for in this situation.

Angels 5, Rockies 2

Run Expectancy Rundown
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1uy4RfIkdewjtt0CIQ156yBdwaiYwazDZ8fp6uQ0cAT4/pubchart” query=”oid=1976391661&format=interactive” width=”623″ height=”389″ /] Johnny G rides again! I don’t believe in someone being “clutch” but I’m also sure I wasn’t the only one who had a high degree of confidence that Giavotella would come through with a hit in the eighth inning. Matt Joyce actually rated highly thanks to his insurance run double. Kole Calhoun felt like he should have rated higher, but there was never anyone on base for him or anyone driving him in. Oh, and Marc Krauss thus far is not the answer at DH, but one game isn’t really a fair audition.

[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1uy4RfIkdewjtt0CIQ156yBdwaiYwazDZ8fp6uQ0cAT4/pubchart” query=”oid=1154832181&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”341″ /] Carlos Gonzalez didn’t exactly endear himself to the Angels front office if they were considering trading for him. Corey Dickerson, who would actually be a lot cheaper and make a lot more sense, did though.

Starting Pitcher Scores
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1uy4RfIkdewjtt0CIQ156yBdwaiYwazDZ8fp6uQ0cAT4/pubchart” query=”oid=161400381&format=interactive” width=”584″ height=”293″ /] C.J. Wilson had another excellent start. It’s gotta be the do-rag. Kyle Kendrick was disturbingly effective against the Halos bats, so this win definitely comes with a giant caveat.

Bullpen Battle
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1uy4RfIkdewjtt0CIQ156yBdwaiYwazDZ8fp6uQ0cAT4/pubchart” query=”oid=1141913419&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”315″ /] Huston Street is fixed, so that’s nice. Rafael Betancourt is broken, which is also nice… for the Angels at least. Ken Roberts made a relief appearance which is odd because I’m pretty sure he is my dentist.

Game Flow
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1uy4RfIkdewjtt0CIQ156yBdwaiYwazDZ8fp6uQ0cAT4/pubchart” query=”oid=451609002&format=interactive” width=”619″ height=”316″ /] It disturbs me how much this game was in doubt. After all my trashing of the Rockies and Kendrick, specifically, I really thought I was going to have to eat some crow. Or just delete the series preview. Yeah, probably that. That’s a lot better than admitting I was wrong.

Halo Hero

The Magic Cajun Elf strikes again!!!