Kendrys Morales to the Rescue! (46/81)

With 2 outs, the bases loaded, and the score tied at 3-a-piece, Kendrys Morales stepped up to the plate, pinch-hitting for catcher Bobby Wilson. The once powerful first baseman/designated hitter had been struggling and been the subject of many trade rumors recently, hit a line drive over right fielder Jeff Francoeur and drove in 3 runs, including the speedy Peter Bourjos from first base. The clutch hit ended up being the factor as the Angels beat the Kansas City Royals 6-3.

Before the season started, the Angels weren't sure Morales ankle was going to be fully healed to start the season on the roster. As he progressed according to schedule, the Angels kept playing him more and more in Spring Training as the Cuban defector continued to rack up hits. When the season finally started, Morales was in the starting lineup, completing his comeback from a horrific freak ankle injury that cost him a season and a half away from the game.

Leading up to this point, Angels fans held a fear in the back of their head, something that they didn't want to believe but knew it was entirely possible: after missing so much time away from the game, would Morales be able to pick up where he left off, or would he be a shell of his former self? As the season has progressed, we've noticed a lack of power and production in our cleanup hitter. These warning signs have been partially hidden by the emergence of Mike Trout and Mark Trumbo as much as they were forgotten about with Albert Pujols early season struggles.

Jerry Dipoto has not forgotten. As the trade deadline nears, he has made Morales expendable, a key part of any trade that would bring a quality starting pitcher to the Angels rotation. Will the Angels end up moving Morales? Maybe, but we as fans need to be prepared for that and not hold this sentimental value of a guy who has been a decent player, but hasn't shown the explosive offense he was capable of in 2009.

The Angels have never been a team to dwell on past successes especially if they notice a decline. Look at guys like Chone Figgins, John Lackey, and Francisco Rodriguez. They were stars with the Angels and fan favorites, but the Angels had to go against the wishes of their fan base in order to improve their team because they knew these guys were not the answers. I know its hard to trust the front office after deals like Vernon Wells, Gary Matthews Jr., and Scott Kazmir, but we've got to know that these guys know what they're doing.

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.