A week ago the Angels had just six home runs as a team through 15 games, resulting in an AL-worst .302 SLG. In the seven games since then the club has added 14 dingers to that total—including three Wednesday—raising the team slugging percentage by 47 points in just a week. That’s still last in the league, but it’s now at least in shouting distance of everyone else.
Mike Trout, Yunel Escobar, and Andrelton Simmons did the clobbering for the Angels on Wednesday, making the most of the team’s five hits on a night when they failed to get any runners into scoring position. The unlikely sweep of the Royals gets the Halos back to an even .500 (at 11–11), and puts them just a game out of first heading into a three-game set against Texas, the division leaders.
Run Expectancy Rundown
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1EZLLEwsGMHCv81F1QbwOBSnqEJvS0lZhGijOBTp9Y00/pubchart” query=”oid=1976391661&format=interactive” width=”623″ height=”389″ /]As noted above, Trout, Escobar, and Simmons did all the damage for the Halos. The only other hits came from Rafael Ortega, who now has three multi-hit games in his last four and is making it increasing difficult to rationalize demoting when Daniel Nava returns. That means Ji-Man Choi, who went hitless again Wednesday, might not be long for the roster.
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1EZLLEwsGMHCv81F1QbwOBSnqEJvS0lZhGijOBTp9Y00/pubchart” query=”oid=1154832181&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”341″ /]For the second night in a row the Royals had no problem getting runners on but just could not capitalize. Alcides Escobar and Salvador Perez both left four runners on each while Kendrys left three, coming up empty in six RISP plate appearances combined. The team as a whole went 0-for-7 w/ RISP on the night, and ended up just 4-for-23 overall in the series. Eric Hosmer drove in the only KC runs of the night with a two-run homer in the first.
Starting Pitcher Scores
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1EZLLEwsGMHCv81F1QbwOBSnqEJvS0lZhGijOBTp9Y00/pubchart” query=”oid=161400381&format=interactive” width=”584″ height=”293″ /]Mr. Consistency was at it again Wednesday. Nick Tropeano has now made four consecutive starts in which he’s allowed two or fewer runs while pitching into (but not through!) the sixth inning. The only difference last night was he faced a season-high 25 batters—the other three starts it had been 23—and he gave up a season-high eight hits. His 2.11 ERA is still the best on the team.
Chris Young pitched fairly well for second straight start, but his penchant for the long ball did him in Wednesday. He’s now allowed at least one home run in each of his five starts.
Bullpen Battle
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1EZLLEwsGMHCv81F1QbwOBSnqEJvS0lZhGijOBTp9Y00/pubchart” query=”oid=1141913419&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”315″ /]Fernando Salas pitched out of a jam in the sixth and Jose Alvarez went two scoreless innings, making for a nice bridge to Joe Smith in the ninth (who filled in for an injured Huston Street). Thanks to a strong series, the bullpen has worked down to a solid 3.41 ERA.
Luke Hochevar and Kelvin Herrera made appearances for the Royals even though the team was behind. Hochevar surrendered an insurance run in his inning, Herrera was nasty as ever.
Game Flow
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1EZLLEwsGMHCv81F1QbwOBSnqEJvS0lZhGijOBTp9Y00/pubchart” query=”oid=451609002&format=interactive” width=”619″ height=”316″ /]Things looked a little scary heading into the fourth. From there, though, it was a steady climb to victory.
Halo Hero
Trout’s homer got the party started, but it was Escobar’s that made the difference.
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