Boxscore Breakdown #8: Drew-ined – Rangers 8, Angels 2

Drew Rucinski could’ve been the feelgood story of the early season. Fans were ready to jump on his bandwagon. Then he went and took a big ol’ dump on the mound in his first MLB start and ruined any chance of that happening. It earned the Angels a loss and Rucinski a one-way ticket to Salt Lake.

Rangers 8, Angels 2

Run Expectancy Rundown
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1uvrfZ_N5Kl_zGyB7rtRVTUaAl_GPxJ70_Gg4lHqlJ84/pubchart” query=”oid=1976391661&format=interactive” width=”623″ height=”389″ /] Collin Cowgill seems to be carrying the offense in this series, which isn’t necessarily a good thing. What is definitely a good thing is that Chris Iannetta not only put the ball in play but actually picked up some hits. Rucinski is going to take the brunt of the blame for this loss, but let’s not overlook the backbreaking GIDP from Aybar in the second inning. That at-bat could’ve completely changed the complexion of this game. On a more random note, the Angels only struck out twice in this entire game. That seems almost impossible in this day and age.

[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1uvrfZ_N5Kl_zGyB7rtRVTUaAl_GPxJ70_Gg4lHqlJ84/pubchart” query=”oid=1154832181&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”341″ /] Elvis Andrus and Robinson Chirinos bashing homers pretty well sums up just what kind of game this was.

Starting Pitcher Scores
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1uvrfZ_N5Kl_zGyB7rtRVTUaAl_GPxJ70_Gg4lHqlJ84/pubchart” query=”oid=161400381&format=interactive” width=”584″ height=”293″ /] I’m honestly shocked that Rucinski’s game score was even that high. He looked awful from the jump. For his sake, let’s hope the struggles were just his nerves getting the better of him. How Nick Martinez got the better of the Angels is pretty shocking as well. The Angels really bailed him out with poor situational hitting and boneheaded baserunning, but he pretty much shut the Halos down after the second inning.

Bullpen Battle
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1uvrfZ_N5Kl_zGyB7rtRVTUaAl_GPxJ70_Gg4lHqlJ84/pubchart” query=”oid=1141913419&format=interactive” width=”620″ height=”315″ /] Jose Alvarez didn’t exactly make a case for himself to be the one tabbed for a spot start the next time the Angels need one. He cruised through his first trip through the lineup, but once the order turned over, he got shellacked. But at least he ignited some bad blood by drilling Peguero in the back in frustration after getting taken yard by Andrus. Fernando Salas avoided allowing a run, but that was mostly because Prince Fielder is a snail on the bases. Salas just doesn’t have anything right now. The Rangers bullpen coughed up a run, but it was meaningless mop-up duty.

Defensive Dynamics
We really need to talk about Matt Joyce in the outfield. We are now eight games into the season and already Joyce has twice nearly collided with Mike Trout on a ball in the gap near that wall, resulting runs scoring for the opposition and Trout narrowly avoiding injury. I’m sure part of this is that Trout and Joyce are still getting used to playing with each other, but it also serves as a reminder that Joyce really should be a DH. That’s something the team might have to actively consider if/when they release Hamilton.

Game Flow
[googleapps domain=”docs” dir=”spreadsheets/d/1uvrfZ_N5Kl_zGyB7rtRVTUaAl_GPxJ70_Gg4lHqlJ84/pubchart” query=”oid=41272350&format=interactive” width=”619″ height=”315″ /] The opportunity was there early for the Angels, but once Rucinski sharted all over himself, it was game over.

Halo A-Hole

Better luck next time, Drew. Assuming there is a next time.