This is the kind of game that drives Angels fans crazy. The start of the game brought with all the usual heartbreak of a Joe Blanton start. Then all of a sudden an unknown reliever bails them out and the offense starts hitting the cover off the ball. Just when it looks like a laugher, the bullpen comes in and mucks it all up as the opposing team storms back. Finally, the Halos add on a couple of late runs to take a very much needed victory. A wild, weird way to win a ballgame.
Game Notes
— Joe Blanton is officially the worst pitcher in baseball. Did you know that he gives up almost 2 hits an inning? Todfay he surrendered a hit to every other batter he faced! Let that sink in for a minute…The White Sox had at least two runners on in every inning he pitched in. How he still has a job is beyond me. There was a report there were loud bangs out of the Angels walkway after he exited the dugout…hopefully it was the clubkhouse attendant taking care of the problem.
— Hooray for the Halo offense though. The Angels picked up their beleagured pitching staff by putting on an offensive show. Trumbo and Callaspo both went deep and JB Shuck stirred the drink with a bases loaded walk and a two run double. Special shout out to Chris Ianetta, forever now known as "The Walker"
— If a White Sox batter doesn't take on in the ass tomorrow I will be severly disappointed. The White Sox have been headhunting on MIke Trout all series and today he got hit and almost beaned in the head. This is a code thing, you cannot have a team throwing at your best player. It really should be AJ Piersynski, but he plays someplace else now. So I vote for Alexei Ramirez, though I'm afraid the ball might miss him altogether since he is the size of a supermodel.
— Then there was the adventures of the bullpen. I think we all agree the Garrett Richards reliever thing is not working. Richards is a starter and needs to be treated as such. His work in the pen is all over the place and he seems to always give up runs. Ernesto Frieri gave up a three run homer but at least he nailed down the save. But the bullpen hero is unsung Robert Coello. Dude came in and bailed Blanton out and then pitched one more strong inning of relief. I think somewhere between all these relievers is a decent bullpen, but it's up to Mike Scioscia to figure it out.
Halo Hero
I have often overlooked Alberto Callaspo since he is not the prototypical thrid baseman. But his defense is fair and every once and awhile he lucks into a big game at the plate. But he is really representative of what this team needs. They need big performances from all the guys on the roster. Sure it helps when the big boys thump their way to glory, but more often than not, it's the other guys that will save the day.
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