Boxscore Breakdown #144: At it again – Angels 9, Rangers 3

Another game, another big inning, another win over another lousy team. Life is pretty easy for the Angels right now. Let’s hope they don’t get too used to is as things are going to start getting hard again next week and won’t let up until the Halos’ post-season run ends.

Run Expectancy Rundown
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1_7Xu1eZmlId9insMVRYmteSozFdOqxaBU7SN9cfe1R8/pubchart” query=”oid=1976391661&format=interactive” width=”623″ height=”318″ /] Collin Cowgill was doing his very best to stunt the growth of the concern around Josh Hamilton‘s continued absence. Overall, the Angels offense did one heck of an efficient job as they scored nine runs on just nine hits and three walks.

[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1_7Xu1eZmlId9insMVRYmteSozFdOqxaBU7SN9cfe1R8/pubchart” query=”oid=1154832181&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”341″ /] Adrian Beltre continues to be amazing even with all the crap surrounding him in the lineup. Honestly, he and Leonys Martin might be the only legit big leaguers that were in the lineup, although Ryan Rua did have a good night at the plate.

Starting Pitcher Scores
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1_7Xu1eZmlId9insMVRYmteSozFdOqxaBU7SN9cfe1R8/pubchart” query=”oid=161400381&format=interactive” width=”584″ height=”293″ /] Colby Lewis fared better against the Halos than he had all season, but the bullpen really let him down. Hector Santiago had another solid bit short outing. This one was actually quite a bit shorter than it probably had to be given his pitch count, but obviously Scioscia didn’t want to see him fall apart after he wiggled out of trouble in the fifth. Given Hector’s history, I can’t really blame him.

Bullpen Battle
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1_7Xu1eZmlId9insMVRYmteSozFdOqxaBU7SN9cfe1R8/pubchart” query=”oid=1141913419&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”315″ /] Kevin Jepsen came in to get some work after the game was already well in hand, which was fortunate because he didn’t have a great night. Grilli, Salas and Morin were all just fine though. What wasn’t fine was Roman Mendez and Robbie Ross for Texas who busted out the gas cans to let the Angels break this game wide open.

Game Flow
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1_7Xu1eZmlId9insMVRYmteSozFdOqxaBU7SN9cfe1R8/pubchart” query=”oid=451609002&format=interactive” width=”619″ height=”316″ /] Thanks to the leadoff homer by Calhoun, the Angels had an edge almost the entire game. The one moment they didn’t, the Rangers helped give the edge back by sac bunting. Because, you know, playing for one run when you are the worst team in baseball facing the best team in baseball makes a ton of sense. The Halos escaped that situation and held onto their narrow edge until the eight inning eruption sealed the deal.

Halo Hero

Collin Cowgill went out of his way to remind us that the Angels were just fine with him in left field the last time Hamilton missed time due to injury. Thanks, Collin, we needed that.