Boxscore Breakdown #140: Not making it look easy – Angels 7, Twins 6

Another win for the Angels, but they once again made it look much harder than it had to be. Not to complain too much since they did win and did expand their lead in the AL West, but it sure would be nice to see them have a few nice, comfortable wins against these weak teams. With 22 games left, they are running out of time to convince us they are firing on all cylinders headed into the post-season.

Run Expectancy Rundown
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1evFqs8y-WJURqnVNgLhirazH8uiEvQZ531OhU3E1z04/pubchart” query=”oid=1976391661&format=interactive” width=”623″ height=”318″ /] Even with the game-winning sac fly, Erick Aybar brought up the rear for the Halos. Kole Calhoun, however, was an absolute machine. Every time they needed him, he came up huge. Most of the lineup had a solid day though. Even Brennan Boesch made the absence of Hamilton not so noticeable (though that might be more of an indictment on Hamilton). The real shame is that John McDonald almost has a huge extra base hit and got robbed. Can’t you just throw the guy a bone?

[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1evFqs8y-WJURqnVNgLhirazH8uiEvQZ531OhU3E1z04/pubchart” query=”oid=1154832181&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”341″ /] The Twins made it a game, but they didn’t have the same kind of offensive balance. Aaron Hicks, Trevor Plouffe and Danny Santana were the bulk of their offense. Even Plouffe’s value all came from the game-tying double which was just him going down and getting what looked to be a pretty good pitch.

Starting Pitcher Scores
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1evFqs8y-WJURqnVNgLhirazH8uiEvQZ531OhU3E1z04/pubchart” query=”oid=161400381&format=interactive” width=”584″ height=”293″ /] Ricky Nolasco was as hittable as anticipated, but unfortunately so was Matt Shoemaker. Shoemaker just wasn’t his normal efficient and effective self, generally struggling just to find the zone. I suppose his run had to end at some point.

Bullpen Battle
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1evFqs8y-WJURqnVNgLhirazH8uiEvQZ531OhU3E1z04/pubchart” query=”oid=1141913419&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”315″ /] Fernando Salas is no longer red hot it would seem and Huston Street seems to be in a funk. That kind of thing happens, but what I don’t understand is why Scioscia has so much faith in Yoslan Herrera. What I REALLY don’t understand is how Herrera keeps Houdini-ing his way out of these big messes.

The Twins contributed eight relievers to the 15 total relievers used in this game. September call-ups, their FAAAAAN-TASTIC!

Game Flow
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1evFqs8y-WJURqnVNgLhirazH8uiEvQZ531OhU3E1z04/pubchart” query=”oid=451609002&format=interactive” width=”619″ height=”316″ /] This game was kind of nuts. The Angels had and wasted multiple advantages and then saved the game from the brink of a near certain loss and took a near certain victory for themselves before blowing that. At least they finally came out on top.

Halo Hero

Aybar drove in the winning run, but Calhoun drove in the winning run the first time before Street screwed it up. He then got on base to score the second winning run, so he gets the Hero nod.