Boxscore Breakdown #11: Throw it back – Astros 4, Angels 0

The Angels and Astros wore throwback uniforms for this game, harkening back to a time in which the Angels were a pile of hot garbage. They must’ve been taking the throwback mantra pretty seriously because they LARPed their way into a pathetic offensive showing to get shutout for the first time this year.

Astros 4, Angels 0

Run Expectancy Rundown
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1qk7adjPC15KkFYCGYrCZG1ZP-WL9yY9uRPi-rdR7Kl0/pubchart” query=”oid=1976391661&format=interactive” width=”623″ height=”389″ /] The top of the order just killed the Angels. Trout, in particular, failed to come through on two of the rare occasions where the Halos were threatening to score. Johnny Giavotella led the offensive “charge” which should tell you all you need to know about the production for the day.

[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1qk7adjPC15KkFYCGYrCZG1ZP-WL9yY9uRPi-rdR7Kl0/pubchart” query=”oid=1154832181&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”341″ /] Robbie Grossman made all Angels fans say, “Gross, man.” His three-run shot sealed the game for Houston. George Springer did his part thought to create what little other offense Houston had.

Starting Pitcher Scores
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1qk7adjPC15KkFYCGYrCZG1ZP-WL9yY9uRPi-rdR7Kl0/pubchart” query=”oid=161400381&format=interactive” width=”584″ height=”293″ /] C.J. Wilson quelled some fears with a solid performance here. His control obviously still wasn’t there, but he was still missing bats and generating a ton of grounders. In other words, it was a vintage C.J. Wilson day.

Bullpen Battle
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1qk7adjPC15KkFYCGYrCZG1ZP-WL9yY9uRPi-rdR7Kl0/pubchart” query=”oid=1141913419&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”315″ /] Oh, Mike Morin, how you betrayed me. Granted, Scioscia didn’t help by ordering the intentional walk, but you have to be able to keep Robbie Grossman in the park. Sadly, the Angels were given the gift of facing Chad Qualls and threw it back in the baseball gods’ face by allowing him to strike out the side. That’s the kind of night this was.

Game Flow
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1qk7adjPC15KkFYCGYrCZG1ZP-WL9yY9uRPi-rdR7Kl0/pubchart” query=”oid=41272350&format=interactive” width=”619″ height=”315″ /] This game flow graph looks like someone hanging on, trying to stay awake for the first several innings then just finally giving in and nodding off to sleep. That’s fitting because that’s what watching this game felt like.

Halo A-Hole

There was a lot of blame to go around in this one, but Aybar flunked in some RISP spots a few times and he struck out twice, which he almost never does.