Angels 5 Mariners 3
To glimmering-eyed Angels fans, every day of this funkytown season was yet another terrific day to call up Jo Adell. And today, Tuesday, August 4th, has finally become that day. A day that shall live in infamy, one where consensus top prospect Jo Adell made his major-league debut—and displayed just a miniscule excerpt of the many tools in his toolbox.
On display tonight? Jo’s speed. In his first at-bat, Adell burst out of the batter’s box on this infield nubber.
Jo Adell’s first big league hit. pic.twitter.com/vkSCpPm4OC
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) August 5, 2020
Tonight, we’ll have to appreciate Jo’s elite 30.4 feet-per-second sprint speed, one which places him firmly among MLB’s speediest players. That’s remarkable considering he bucks the mold of such a group — FanGraphs lists him at 6-foot 3, 215 pounds.
19,755th player in MLB history: Jo Adell
— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) August 5, 2020
– dad Scott drafted by Saints in 1992 NFL Draft
– hit .562 w/ 25 HR in 35 games as a senior in HS
– crushed AA, struggled in brief AAA stint in ’19
– youngest hitter in MLB (1 month younger than Vlad Jr.)
– super duper star potential pic.twitter.com/nXUurSBDIX
Perhaps tomorrow, we’ll have the glorious opportunity of observing Adell’s incredible power. There will be growing pains (as witnessed by his K and two groundouts tonight) along with the weight of expectations, but for Adell, any possible struggles are a gateway to unlocking an impressive, oodling array of mouth-watering tools.
Earlier in that first inning, Mike Trout did what he does best, and by that I mean absolutely terrorize the Seattle Mariners. Trout returned from the paternity list following the birth of his son, but I would make the argument that Beckham is Trout’s second son: he’s already been the Mariners’ daddy for years.
This hanging breaking ball from Justin Dunn was up in the zone and rocketed.
DAD STRENGTH 💪@MikeTrout | @Angels pic.twitter.com/X0vFpj5GdM
— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) August 5, 2020
And Albert Pujols followed up a couple batters later with a two-run shot that was absolutely plastered for career dinger #659. Another hanging breaking ball from Justin Dunn, and The Machine made him pay for it with perhaps what is the loudest contact from an Angels bat this summer. He’s now one home run away from Willie Mays (4th) on the all-time HR list. Wow!
Albert Pujols. 659th career HR. #Angels pic.twitter.com/kCc7baz6PL
— Brent Maguire (@bmags94) August 5, 2020
Angels’ superutility sensation David Fletcher tacked on this two-run jack to the shortest part of left field, and the Angels proceeded to roll to victory over the Seattle Mariners in a contest where the final score looked much closer than it felt.
David Fletcher: premier power threat pic.twitter.com/dbtfqoIHjL
— Brent Maguire (@bmags94) August 5, 2020
Fletcher also added a couple of spectacular defensive plays to save outs. Andrelton Simmons who?
We are not worthy. pic.twitter.com/GPMrUHa6CL
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) August 5, 2020
On the pitching side, Andrew Heaney evaded trouble…mostly. Heaney, seeking the last out in the sixth, threw what should have been strike three to Kyle Seager, a rising fastball on the top edge of the zone. One might say that umpire Guccione’s tight chonies crimped the strike zone. Instead, it was ball four, and M’s catcher Austin Nola proceeded to triple off the base of the wall in left-center.
The bullpen gave up two runs, although Felix Peña’s was due to bad luck on a two-out bloop single. In the end, Ty Buttrey came out for the save (Joe Maddon revealed he’d go with a closer by committee), and looked much sharper than he had in outings past. Overall, a lot to like and one that can’t help but lift the team to better spirits.
#LTBU
How can we possibly not win the World Series with this lineup!!!! Tell me that!
I don’t get the Capt. America comp. Clue me in.
He’s a superhero?
He was compared to Capt. America by Rendon
Thanks
I watched that play by Fletch a few times now. It is absolutely incredible for a few reasons. First, that ball is hit hard and fairly deep in the infield. Fletch makes a backhand play, basically where the outfield grass starts, and is going hard to his right – all of his momentum is going towards 3B. He takes one quick step after fielding, and then in one athletic/beautiful motion leaps and turns 180 degrees in the air simultaneously throwing across his body – still falling hard to his right. That throw goes almost completely across the diamond (basically from 3B) while his body is falling towards 3B and he is in the air. The throw is nearly perfectly on target – Pujols barely had to move.
That is a difficulty level of 11 – particularly when you consider the speed of the play. Everything had to be done exactly as he did it to make the out.
It is a thing of beauty. It is ballet with a baseball. Something I can (and have) watched over and over.
Celebrate the win!
I bet you are happy to be able to post that gif again!
It would be selfish to not share that much manliness with the world.
I like how the camerman slyly got you from belt up … they know that pants are optional, but not on TV.
Quote from Scott Servais, Mariners manager: “Now that Trout is a dad, I was hoping the dad bod would sneak up on him.”
Hey that’s pretty funny
Not a perfect game, but a fun game.
out of the cellar, into 3rd
Out of the frying pan and into the fire.
Fletch is a gamer. Has the intangibles that can’t be taught. His D is a thing of beauty – so quick and natural. Have sung his praises for 2 seasons but he seems to be getting better.
Are we not doing phrasing anymore?
Wonderboy, David Fletcher, PANTHER
Nice win on the commenting system as well!
Dare I say…usable?
Finally, a win that we all could enjoy without tearing our hair out. Hey, we should do this more often, right team?
Nice win. Heaney is our ace so far this year.
Ump was terrible. Good team win despite that! Bullpen still shaky