Boxscore Breakdown #18: Delayed gratification – Angels 4, Rangers 1

So this is the new Angels, isn’t it? Frustration in the early innings, a desperate rally in the middle innings and then holding on for dear life in the late innings. When they win, that’s pretty much how it goes. When they lose, they skip the middle innings part. This is no way to live.

Angels 4, Rangers 1

Run Expectancy Rundown
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/170vEf2JvmDkLzvJI42IGicrllKMmozgwQ3wBXRvUugA/pubchart” query=”oid=1976391661&format=interactive” width=”623″ height=”389″ /] This was shaping up to be a very frustrating offensive performance for the Angels, but they finally managed to break through, mainly because, as I mentioned the first game, the Rangers have a bullpen full o’ yak crap. This actually could’ve ended up being an even bigger offensive outburst but for the Halos making two outs at home in their three-run sixth inning.

[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/170vEf2JvmDkLzvJI42IGicrllKMmozgwQ3wBXRvUugA/pubchart” query=”oid=1154832181&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”341″ /] Texas never really got anything going against Wilson, primarily because of the prominent involvement of players like Adam Rosales and Robinson Chirinos. Actually, really anybody involved was bad. This Texas lineup makes the Angels lineup look like it is overachieving.

Starting Pitcher Scores
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/170vEf2JvmDkLzvJI42IGicrllKMmozgwQ3wBXRvUugA/pubchart” query=”oid=161400381&format=interactive” width=”584″ height=”293″ /] C.J. Wilson and Colby Lewis used to be in the same rotation. That must’ve made for some tough viewing for Rangers fans, even when both of those guys were better than they are now. Wilson was not visibly affected by whatever elbow issues he had earlier in the week, so that’s a plus. He did, however, struggle against left-handed hitting. He wasn’t efficient at all, but that’s nothing new.

Bullpen Battle
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/170vEf2JvmDkLzvJI42IGicrllKMmozgwQ3wBXRvUugA/pubchart” query=”oid=1141913419&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”315″ /] Scioscia mixed-and-matched his bullpen to perfection in the middle innings before handing off setup duties to Fernando Salas, who seems to have settled down after his early season struggles. Huston Street of all people was the only Angel reliever to allow a hits. The only other baserunner was a HBP from Alvarez, who somehow has four on the season already. The Texas bullpen, as previously established, was pure yak crap.

Game Flow
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/170vEf2JvmDkLzvJI42IGicrllKMmozgwQ3wBXRvUugA/pubchart” query=”oid=451609002&format=interactive” width=”619″ height=”316″ /] The Angels were on the slow descent to defeat before their big inning, which shot them to near certain victory. It probably would’ve been certain victory had Erick Aybar not run through a stop sign and kept the inning alive.

Halo Hero

Grant Green gets the Hero as he ignited both of their run-scoring rallies in a solid offensive showing in his season debut. I’m sure he will be rewarded by not getting another plate appearance for 10 days.