Boxscore Breakdown #64: Giving in – Diamondbacks 7, Angels 3

This was it. I could feel that there was a game coming up that was going to make me feel this way and this was that game. I officially give up. This team is no good. I kept waiting for them to flip the switch and become good, but there is no switch. This team is thoroughly and completely mediocre. They are the .500-est team that ever .500-ed. I’ve tried to remain positive, I’ve chugged as much red Kool-Aid as I can handle, but I’m done thinking this team is an actual contender, no matter what the playoff odds say. Barring a major trade that dramatically reshapes the roster, this is just the Angels playing out a 90+ game string.

Diamondbacks 7, Angels 3

Run Expectancy Rundown
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1kSicauemcuOdY4YHVLgSNGo8aOg9zrfqXEACyZvBxHA/pubchart” query=”oid=1976391661&format=interactive” width=”623″ height=”389″ /] Mike Trout did his very best to get the Angels into this game, but the rest of the lineup didn’t really help. Kyle Kubitza helped a little with the bat, but once again hurt more with his glove. Carlos Perez took the collar and added a GIDP. It might just be time for that little lovefest to be over, methinks.

[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1kSicauemcuOdY4YHVLgSNGo8aOg9zrfqXEACyZvBxHA/pubchart” query=”oid=1154832181&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”341″ /] Never pitch to Paul Goldschmidt. Just don’t do it, especially if you can’t throw at least 88 MPH. It was also a pretty good day to be a light-hitting Arizona middle infielder, apparently.

Starting Pitcher Scores
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1kSicauemcuOdY4YHVLgSNGo8aOg9zrfqXEACyZvBxHA/pubchart” query=”oid=161400381&format=interactive” width=”584″ height=”293″ /] Jered Weaver wasn’t terrible on the whole, but the longball continues to be an issue and there is little reason to believe it will stop being an issue. Robbie Ray‘s success continues to be baffling. Not really, he faced the Angels, that is explanation enough.

Bullpen Battle
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1kSicauemcuOdY4YHVLgSNGo8aOg9zrfqXEACyZvBxHA/pubchart” query=”oid=1141913419&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”315″ /] Addison Reed tried so hard to give this game back to the Halos, but Albert Pujols hit the ball to the wrong part of the park. It wouldn’t have mattered anyway because Fernando Salas brought out the gas can once again. There appears to be nothing he can do to lose Scioscia’s faith though.

Game Flow
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1kSicauemcuOdY4YHVLgSNGo8aOg9zrfqXEACyZvBxHA/pubchart” query=”oid=41272350&format=interactive” width=”619″ height=”315″ /] The Goldy homer was crippling. The Angels didn’t show any real signs of life after that until the near comeback in the 8th, but Salas snuffed that out quickly and decisively.

Halo A-Hole

Homers make kittens cry, Jered. Stop making kittens cry.