Just when things start to look like they are going the Angels’ way again- SABOTAGE!
First, Josh Hamilton hits another homer, only to get hit in the hand by a pitch. SABOTAGE!
Matt Shoemaker is about to escape a jam in the fifth inning only to have David Freese throw it away, literally. SABOTAGE!
Huston Street is about to get the first out in the ninth inning when Erick Aybar makes an ill-advised attempt to get the runner at second. SABOTAGE!
A pop-up for the final out nearly goes awry as Aybar ignores Mike Trout calling him off. SABATAAGE!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlOTRxt-dIw
Run Expectancy Rundown
The brief Mike Trout slump looks to be over as he led the offense. Hamilton was doing well too, before he took a ball off his hands and into his face. J.B. Shuck was generally useless in his first start since his recall. Still, a solid offensive performance that should encourage Angels fans.
Evan Longoria led the way for the Rays, though he had a big assist from David Freese’s off-target throw. Then again, Longoria really aided the Angels by getting thrown out advancing to third. That could’ve been bad. Not as bad as Desmond Jennings was, but still bad.
Starting Pitcher Scores
Matt Shoemaker was lucky to get through five in this game. He just wasn’t sharp at all and was lucky to only give up eight hits. Jeremy Hellickson once again failed to get through five, so he was pretty much what we expected.
Bullpen Battle
Huston Street had his first real scare with the Angels, though it wasn’t entirely his fault due to the aforementioned Aybar sabotage. If anything, it was impressive to Street fight his way out of that bases loaded situation. The Rays bullpen was a bit leaky in the early going, but shut the Angels down in the late innings.
Game Flow
The Angels took strong control early, but as those downward spikes show, they weren’t without their scares. That last valley there really demonstrate how dire things got after the Rays loaded the bases in the ninth.
Halo Hero
A guy’s average dips under .300 for one game and everyone freaks out. I think Mike Trout is going to be just fine. Relax, people.
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