It was looking to be another snoozer with a familiar storyline. Angels offense struggles and sputters to another defeat while another starter pitches well enough to win, but doesn't. But it wasn't to be, thanks to a clutch bases-clearing, inside-the-park "grand slam" by Erick Aybar. Sure, it was technically a 3-run triple, with an run-scoring error, but let's not argue semantics.
Until the seventh inning, starter Jerome Williams had been decent, but not spectacular. After a giving up a couple runs in the first inning on ground-outs, Williams only surrendered a couple more solo home runs to Chris Davis and Adam Jones. Meanwhile, the struggling Angels offense cobbled together a couple runs on a massive Hank Conger home run into Eutaw street and an RBI double by a red-hot Howie Kendrick.
But the big blows came in the seventh on Aybar's heroics, in addition to a two-run home run by Albert Pujols, who looks like he could be on the verge of breaking out. If that happens, this offense might just be good enough to get the Halos rolling again.
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Game Notes
— Howie Kendrick continues to rake. His average is now up to .324 after adding a couple hits on Wednesday.
— Brad Hawpe certainly looks like he can't hit anymore at the big league level, but the reserve outfielder appears to be able to still see the ball well at the plate. Hawpe drew two walks, including one that was key in helping load the bases for Aybar in the seventh inning.
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Halo Hero of the Game
Way to go, Aybar! His on-base % is all the way up to .283, now!
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