Pujols and Trumbo Homer, Angels Spank Yanks (22/81)

The Angels got their 8th win in a row Tuesday as they defeated the Bronx Bombers 5-1.

Mark Trumbo and Albert Pujols each hit home runs, and the Angels speedy youngsters in the outfield robbed a couple of them from the Yankees.

Dan Haren pitched beautifully, and now has 21 strikeouts and no walks in the last two games.

It wasn't a good day to be Nick Swisher as Peter Bourjos ran into the wall catching one of his line drives, and Mike Trout (above) robbed a would-be Swisher home run.

Quick question: How the heck can AT&T U-Verse NOT televise this game? At first I didn't care, but this squabble between U-Verse and Fox Sports is really starting to piss me off.

Pujols Homers, Angels Lose (20/81)

Albert Pujols now has a home run in every game since Mickey Hatcher was removed as the team's batting coach. Coincidence much?

Let's not send Jerry Dipoto "Thank You" cards yet. The Angels could not figure out Chris Sale and lost to the White Sox 6-1 in an afternoon game yesterday at the Big A. The only two bright spots in the game were Mark Trumbo going four for four (444?) and...

Pujols homering in back-to-back games. Even though it was the only run the Angels scored yesterday, it was a big deal. At this rate, if Pujols homers once in every game for the rest of the season, he has a chance to hit 126 home runs and save his season. I mean, that's what we're paying him for, right?

Don't Look Now, But the Angels Have a Two Game Winning Streak (19/81)

The Angels won their second game in a row by stomping on the visiting Chicago White Sox tonight, and beating them 7-2.

It was Peter Bourjos bobblehead night tonight, and White Sox second baseman, Gordon Beckham, couldn't wait to get his hands on one (above).

Here's the rundown from tonight's game:


Albert Pujols hit his second home run of the season, a three-run shot to center field, and hopes to be turning a page. However, his other three at-bats were nothing spectacular, but let's see where this goes.

Longtime Angels hitting coach Mickey Hatcher was fired last night, and the original 2002 World Series coaching staff now has only two remaining members: Mike Scioscia and first base coach Alfredo Griffin. The Angels are now 1-0 under new hitting coach, Jim Eppard, and fans couldn't hope for a better start than that.

To clarify, Hatcher was not the problem for the Angel's hitting woes this season or any of the previous seasons in which the Angels underachieved offensively. However, since he was  unable to solve the problem, he becomes expendable. General Manager, Jerry Dipoto talked about bringing some fresh air into the clubhouse, and I think that's just what the Angels needed. Eppard has been with the organization awhile and has worked with guys like Mark Trumbo, Mike Trout, and Howie Kendrick in the minors where they were tearing it up offensively. I think he'll bring a great feeling of familiarity to the guys and get them relaxed. It's like sharing the dugout with your old Little League coach now in the majors.

Also, unlike Hatcher, I think Eppard, 52, still has all his teeth.

Interesting note, Jerome Williams is undefeated at Angel Stadium. Since joining the team late last year, Williams has made seven starts at home and has won each one of them. Also, as an Angel, the guy only has one bad start. Quit the talk about Barry Zito being the best fifth starter in baseball, the underrated Williams is shutting opponents down.