Santana Throws Gem, Angels Stop and Stare (37/81)

Angels starter, Ervin Santana, struck out 10 and walked none but managed to take the loss thanks to some mental errors by the guys behind him and a lack of offensive production as the Angels lost to the Dodgers 3-1 on Saturday night.

Santana is in the process of turning his season around, throwing great in back-to-back games. The Angels just couldn't find ways to score yesterday, going 1-10 with runners in scoring position. The Angels also seemed to be making bad decisions and mental errors out on the field. It was a poor followup to the 8-5 win from the previous day.

If Santana keeps this up, he may very well solidify his spot back in the rotation before Jerome Williams, who's on the mend, comes back. Garrett Richards, who's pitching today for the Angels, is also fighting for a spot in the rotation and is throwing very well.

Williams Has Shortness of Breath, Health Scare (33/81)

Angels fell to the San Francisco Giants in the Giants first return to Angel Stadium last night, but that wasn't the real story. Angels starter, Jerome Williams was rush to the hospital during the game after he had passed out in the Angels clubhouse.

Williams was admitted to UCI Medical Center after experiencing a shortness of breath following an uncharacteristically bad start in which he gave up 4 runs in only 3 1/3 innings. The start was only his second poor outing at Angels Stadium.
 
I could tell after the first inning that something wasn't right with Williams. He was wild and not staying on top of his pitches.

Last night his wife tweeted from the hospital that he was doing better, but she asked fans to keep him in their prayers. I sincerely hope Williams is okay and comes back strong. Even though he's one of the best baseball stories in recent years, Williams has to focus on his health above all else, and if that means taking an extended leave from the team, then so be it.

With Williams out, youngster Garrett Richards momentarily avoids being sent back to Triple A although I'm sure he wishes it wasn't under these circumstances.

Let's hope Williams can battle back and keep him in our thoughts and prayers.

The Home Streak is Over, Williams Loses First Game in Anaheim (29/81)

Since he got picked up by the Angels until last night, starter, Jerome Williams had never lost a game at Angels Stadium, a total of 8 starts. The Angels lost to the Seattle Mariners 8-6 in the final game of this series.

Jerome Williams has arguably been the most underrated 5th starter in Major League Baseball. Nobody really talks about him as he does his job well, but doesn't really do anything spectacular. Let's face it, ESPN is jumping up and down mentioning a guy who throws quality starts (6 innings pitched, 3 earned runs or less), but Williams has been consistently putting up good numbers. Of his 10 starts, 8 of them have been quality starts, and 6 of them resulting in Wins for Williams.

Going into this season, the anchor to the Angels rotation was considered a big question mark. Was last year's late season pickup, Williams, a fluke? Would Garrett Richards be able to bounce back after getting trounced in his major league debut? We didn't know. Based on his early season consistency though, I would consider Williams one of the top 4 Angels MVPs behind Mark Trumbo, Mike Trout, and tied with CJ Wilson.

Besides last night's uncharacteristic outing, Williams is outperforming expectations and giving the Angels stability in a season that desperately lacks it.

Trout Wrecks the Rangers (24/81)

Jerome Williams pitched yet another quality start and Mike Trout turned into a one-man-wrecking crew as the Angels came back to beat the rival Texas Rangers 4-2 in Anaheim.

Angels entered Friday night trailing the Rangers by 6 1/2 games in the AL West despite winning 8 out of their last 10 games. Knowing how important this series was, its not surprise that guys stepped up.

Down 2-0 in the 6th, Trout hit a long fly ball off the wall that scored catcher, John Hester, and then scored himself on Albert Pujols fly ball to right field. Just like that, the Angels, who had not been able to figure out Ranger's starter, Colby Lewis, had a fresh ball game.

Angels found their luck when they got the bases loaded in the 7th thanks to a hit batter and an error by Ranger's second baseman, Ian Kinsler. Trout stepped up to the plate yet again, and drove in two go-ahead runs that turned out to be the winning runs with a single to right field.

One of the biggest factors to the Angel's revival of their season has not just been their new found offense, but the restructuring of their bullpen. It seems that Mike Scioscia has finally found the perfect combination with Jordan Walden in the 7th, Scott Downs in the setup role in the 8th, and newcomer Ernesto Frieri (above) closing out the games. Not only does this work, but with Downs and Frieri throwing unhittable pitches, Scioscia has been able to interchange them in the 9th inning in respect to left-handed and right-handed batters. It has worked more beautifully for the Angels the past two weeks than I've ever seen for another team that utilizes the "closer-by-committee" concept. However, Scioscia is looking for a guy to "fill the role," as he states, and is most likely looking at Walden, Downs, Frieri (in that order) to finish games when the Angels have the lead.

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.

Pujols Hits His 1st Home Run (16/81)

That was really the only noteworthy thing for the blog that has been a week late.

Angels beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 as Jerome Williams picked up his third win of the season.

Since that magical home run last week, the shot that we thought would be the answers to all our prayers, the Angels have done nothing but get worse. To be continued in the following blog.

Jered Weaver's First Career No-Hitter (13/81)

I think the Angels have found the answer to their bullpen problems. The night after journeyman, Jerome Williams, threw his first shutout in 7 years, Angel's ace, Jered Weaver threw his first career no-hitter as the Angels beat the Minnesota Twins 9-0.

Weaver was absolutely masterful for 9 innings as he joined the ranks of Nolan Ryan, Mike Witt, Clyde Wright, Bo Belinsky, and Ervin Santana (last year) as the only Angel's pitchers to ever throw a complete-game no-hitter.

Narrowly missing a perfect game thanks to one walk and a passed-ball strikeout, Weaver struck out nine batters on 121 pitches to cap off the perfect story that every little boy dreams of having.

In media and entertainment, we often hear of "every little girl's dream" to be a princess or a magical wedding, or "every boy's father" who dreams of his son becoming a greater success than he ever was. I'm here to tell you that every little boy who grows up playing baseball, dreams of throwing a complete-game no-hitter in front of their friends and family at home.

Jered Weaver, a local boy, grew up a Dodgers fan, lived less than 30 minutes from Angels Stadium, and went to college at Long Beach State. He was drafted in the first round by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, was thrust into the role of ace due to the departure of fan favorite, John Lackey, and was the runner-up to the 2011 Cy Young Award.

I love Weaver for what he has accomplished, but the feeling I, as well as many others, have for the Angel's ace is a lot more complicated. You see, we envy Jered Weaver. He is everything the little boy in us wishes we had become. We have tried and failed, and now, for many of us, our grasp at greatness is to live vicariously through Weaver's gifted arm.

In an age when most young pitchers seek the big contracts in the free agent market, Weaver gave the Angels a hometown discount when he signed a five-year, $85 million contract extension last season. He could have easily gone anywhere else and got more money, but he chose to stay here. Why? Because there's a little boy in Jered Weaver who is jumping up and down right now for being able to live out his dream so close to home with friends and family watching from all around.

Angels Offense

Oh yeah, the Angels offense went nuts and scored 9 runs tonight. No Chronic Tacos for those who attended the game (suckers!). I don't think the fans mind too much as they were able to witness the first no-hitter at Angel Stadium in over 20 years.

Howard's Big Bat

Howie must really like the pressure being taken off of him now that's he's not batting second in front of Albert Pujols. Since being moved to the six-hole last night, Kendrick has 2 home runs, a triple, 4 RBIs, 2 runs scored on 7 hits. Talk about great back-to-back games. And he narrowly missed hitting for the cycle last night.


Jerome Williams 3-hit Shutout (12/81)

I missed covering the game last night as I was busy celebrating the Lakers win over the Denver Nuggets (hey, life happens), but I did get to catch Jerome Williams first shutout in 7 years. Just like Weaver did tonight, Williams only faced 2 batters over the minimum in an amazing performance that will shut down any speculation of Garrett Richards being called up to take Williams' spot in the rotation.

I'm proud of Williams. Next to Mark Trumbo, he was the most pleasant surprise of the Angels last year. He's come a long way, and, a guy who claims to be a smarter pitcher, is going to keep getting his chances to bring the Angels closer to a playoff spot.

I truly believe this series versus the Twins was exactly what the Angels needed. Great starting pitching has led to the "turn of the tide." Now we just need that Pujols guy to start hitting.

Finally, The Angels Put Together A Solid Game (8/81)

The Angels had 11 hits, the Baltimore Orioles had 3 errors, Jerome Williams bounced back, and Jordan Walden picked up his first save of the season as the Angels finally put together a solid game for the second time this week to beat the Orioles six to three.

I attended the game last night and had some great seats to watch the action. After getting roughed up by the Yankees in his season debut, Williams delivered a solid night by keeping the ball down and not running into any trouble until the the 7th inning when he gave up a towering 2-run home run to Nolan Reimold. Manager Mike Scioscia came out to the mound to let the journeyman know it was his time to come out, and then brought in LaTroy Hawkins for the Hold.

Speaking of Holds, nobody talks about them anymore. The middle relief guys don't nearly get as much glory or recognition as the starters or closers, but their the ones who have to hold the fort down until the big guns show up. Granted, this has been an area the Angels have struggled in recent years, but guys like Scott Downs, Yankee's David Robertson, and Ranger's Alexi Ogando should be getting a lot more ink for consistently coming in and shutting down opposing batters.  

Howard Lights Up The Halo

The Angels left a lot of base runners stranded last night, but still hit good enough to manage four runs thanks to a great hitting night from second baseman Howard Kendrick (don't ask me why he prefers "Howard" over "Howie"). Kendrick managed carried the team last night by going 3 for 5 with a single, a run scored, and two doubles including this one that cleared the bases, giving him three RBIs for the night.  

Trumbo In Left

Mark Trumbo got his first start in Left Field today in a lineup that featured the Angel's best hitters. I'm not going to get used to it because it's almost guaranteed that we'll see a different order tomorrow, but I was glad to see Scioscia put out a lineup that I completely agree with. Batting Trumbo behind Torii Hunter was a great idea to take some of the pressure off designated hitter, Kendrys Morales.  

Is Trout Here Yet?

Despite his amazing batting line in Triple A right now, Mike Trout talk has cooled off this week thanks to some decent play by Vernon Wells. Wells is batting .286 in the past 7 days with 2 home runs, 8 hits, and 3 RBIs. He's reached base nine times in the past week and scored 6 runs. Six out of nine is a pretty good average for scoring when you get on base. Thank Chris Iannetta for those runs.  

Final Note:

The Angels have been off to a rough start this season. Scioscia has been playing around with the lineup on a daily basis trying to find the one that clicks. I may not always agree with his decisions on who is playing or the order of the lineup, but there is a method to his madness. He's not panicking. He tells the players on a daily basis to just "grind it out" and not worry about records, slumps, etc. He wants his players to be relaxed although focused at the same time. I agree with what he's said before that his team has too much talent to stay down for long. The Angels will find their chemistry, Pujols will hit home runs, the rotation will get the wins, but everyone just needs to be patient.

As for Trumbo, he is the best hitter in the Angel's lineup right now, but he's only playing half as much as the regular starters. Scioscia has ALWAYS been a defense-first kind of manager, and Trumbo's initial go at third didn't leave a good taste in Scioscia's mouth. Trumbo going to have to work hard to build his manager's trust again no matter how hard he is hitting the ball. That's just the way Scioscia is. It's the reason why the Angels kept Mathis instead of Mike Napoli last year, and it's the reason why Alberto Callaspo is still in the lineup. I don't see Scioscia changing his ways as manager anytime soon, so his players are just going to have to meet his expectations instead.

Side-note: I honestly believe that General Manager Jerry Dipoto should run for a government office. That guy is the biggest politician I have ever seen in baseball, and I don't mean it in a bad way. Everything that comes out of Dipoto's mouth means everything and nothing. He says all the right things to build confidence and avoid controversy. You can tell he has a great baseball mind by never publicly doubting his players and always building up his investments. He knows how mental a sport baseball is. Good job, Jerry, the Angels are lucky to have you.