It was a must-win series, until it wasn’t. The Angels fell on their faces against allegedly inferior competition again, dropping two games in Seattle while scoring a narrow one-run victory over Felix Hernandez in the middle game. And yet, the Angels didn’t lose much ground in the wild card race thanks to the Rangers sweeping Houston in Arlington. Catching the Astros seems like a longshot, but a series in Houston looms next week; if the Angels get hot for those three games, hey, more improbable pennant race comebacks have happened.
Which makes series like the one in Safeco even more disappointing. Seattle is a team the Angels can’t afford to drop series against, not in a pennant race. The Angels never stood a chance in the first game, but the rubber match slipped away. Two bloops and a blast were all Seattle needed thanks to the usual Angel ineptitude with runners in scoring position (0-for-7 on this particular night).
The Angels can amend this series and all the poor play since the beginning of August with their next seven games, four in Minnesota and three in Houston, the two teams they’re chasing for the final playoff berth. I suggest they try the “Seven Game Win Streak” strategy.
Boxscore Breakdowns
Takeaways
David Murphy, Leadoff Hitter?
David Murphy hasn’t really worked out for the Angels since they acquired him because nothing has really worked out for the Angels since mid-July. Mike Scioscia elected to try Murphy out in the leadoff spot for the latter two games in Seattle and Murphy rewarded the Halos with a home run in each game, the first one a three-run shot against Hernandez on Tuesday that was the bulk of the team’s offense on the night. The top slot in the order has been in flux all season — it didn’t matter as much in 2014 when everyone on the team was hitting, but since nobodoy drives in runs anymore Scioscia has tinkered with various options, trying to get men on base for Calhoun, Trout, and Pujols.
Murphy isn’t the prototypical leadoff hitter, evident in that he has only started from that spot six times, but the role seems to suit his skills. Against right-handed pitchers he’ll walk, put the ball in play, and hit the occasional extra base hit. Not quite the ringing endorsement, but what the hell else are the Angels going to do? When the offense was humming two months ago the attack was paced by Johnny Giavotella, not exactly the Rickey Henderson of this era.
It’s encouraging Scioscia is even trying this; since Dipoto’s departure, Scioscia has slipped back into a lot of his poorer strategic habits, but in allowing Murphy to lead off at least Scioscia isn’t falling victim to the age-old lineup construction that mandates somebody fast must bat first.
Jered Weaver F***ed with the Jesus
Jesus Montero is one of the more prominent busts in recent memory. He was an elite prospect for the Yankees before being shipped to Seattle for promising hurler Michael Pineda before the 2012 season. He and Dustin Ackley were going to finally put the perennially terrible Mariner offense over the hump and give King Felix the playoff appearance he long deserved.
Inability, apathy, and ice cream battles with scouts interfered with Montero’s lofty potential. He’s still only 25, so the potential remains for him to turn into a useful everyday bat in a major league lineup. He might even be worth keeping on the Seattle roster JUST for the games against the Angels in which Jered Weaver starts. Because damn if he doesn’t crush Weaver. With his homer on Wednesday, Montero improved to 6-for-12 with FIVE (!!) homers against Weaver — in nearly 850 career plate appearances, Montero only has 22 home runs against other pitchers.
And for good measure, Jesus Sucre singled off Weaver in the fifth inning — two batters later, Weaver intentionally hit Kyle Seager and was tossed by home plate umpire Brian O’Nora. The key to beating Weaver? More Jesus.
A Very Important Update
A friend of mine is a Mariners fan and we have a season series bet between the Angels and Mariners. Whichever team loses the season series buys an undetermined bottle of an adult beverage for the loser. Because I don’t really think the Angels have a shot at the postseason, I would be lying if I said I cared more about the pennant race than this dumb bet.
The Angels now have a 9-7 edge with three games remaining. Now you too have something to cheer for when the Angels are eliminated.
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