Boxscore Breakdown #73: First time for everything – Angels 2, Astros 1

This was a real game of firsts for the Angels. Obviously, we got out first look at Andrew Heaney, who fortunately pitched well given that the Angels have staked a great deal of their future on his arm. Also obviously, there was Taylor Featherston getting his first hit at home (at nearly the end of June, which seems almost impossible) at the most opportune time. Of course, none of it would’ve happened had the Astros not TOOTBLAN’d their way out the ninth inning. Any team out-TOOTBLANing this year’s Angels team is definitely a first. Alas, the Astros remain in first and look as if they will be tough to topple.

Angels 2, Astros 1

Run Expectancy Rundown
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1uAxfRCgBwGEJvldRKOHJKbmIgIhJVU8Q5BWjPDNlX1s/pubchart” query=”oid=1976391661&format=interactive” width=”623″ height=”389″ /] As happens in 13 inning ballgames with a combined three runs scored, there was a lot of guys in the negative. Featherston led the Angels, for obvious reasons, but Erick Aybar was right behind him as the only Halo with more than one hit. Albert Pujols had the worst mark of the day, which is kind of weird to see after how good he has been of late.

[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1uAxfRCgBwGEJvldRKOHJKbmIgIhJVU8Q5BWjPDNlX1s/pubchart” query=”oid=1154832181&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”341″ /] Luis Valbuena and Carlos Correa are becoming Angel killers based on their work this series. Jason Castro and Domingo Santana had rough days, but the worst day probably went to George Springer considering how brief a period of time he was actually in the game.

Starting Pitcher Scores
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1uAxfRCgBwGEJvldRKOHJKbmIgIhJVU8Q5BWjPDNlX1s/pubchart” query=”oid=161400381&format=interactive” width=”584″ height=”293″ /] Andrew Heaney narrowly out-performed Lance McCullers, but that’s just game score silliness. The important thing was how sharp Heaney looked as he pounded the strike zone and was highly efficient with his pitches. This was exactly the kind of guy the Angels were hoping to get when they traded for him.

Bullpen Battle
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1uAxfRCgBwGEJvldRKOHJKbmIgIhJVU8Q5BWjPDNlX1s/pubchart” query=”oid=1141913419&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”315″ /] The Angels went to the bullpen a bit earlier than they probably had to, which seemed like a recipe for disaster, but lo and behold, they put up seven innings of shutout ball. I literally didn’t think that they had it in them. The Astros bullpen emptied their clip, ultimately resulting in a very satisfying loss getting hung on old friend Joe Thatcher.

Game Flow
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1uAxfRCgBwGEJvldRKOHJKbmIgIhJVU8Q5BWjPDNlX1s/pubchart” query=”oid=451609002&format=interactive” width=”619″ height=”316″ /] These extra inning game flow charts are the best because they look like a Richter scale chart once you get into the late innings as the win expectancy just starts favoring whoever is currently at bat, basically. They make the game seem a lot more exciting than it really was.

Halo Hero

Congrats, Taylor! There is a good chance this might be the only Halo Hero you ever win, so drink it in!!!