Every run the Angels have ever surrendered can probably be credited to Yermín Mercedes in some way. Such obstacles as “coming up to bat,” “playing in the game,” and “being born yet” are minor inconveniences for the king of the stick. But no, seriously.
The Heaney game was one thing. The pitching was just not on point yesterday for the Angels, and nobody would be altogether shocked by a lucky rook mashing off a collective bad, demoralizing night. But Alex Cobb was not pitching poorly. In fact, he looked very good. Seven strikeouts and a walk in 6 innings pitched and holding 8/9 of the insane White Sox offense to 5 hits during that time frame! And in frames when a certain designated hitter wasn’t batting, he allowed 0 runs!
But that certain hitter did bat, and he spoiled what was a legitimate gem single-handedly. Yermín Mercedes smacked a home run. He crushed a double. He easily singled. The kid played a key role in every single run scored by the White Sox, and there was no reason to believe he would ever be out again before Tony Watson retired the deity and made the impossible possible.
The Angels didn’t help matters by really struggling to make it to string together hits or walks, but things were looking pretty up for a bit after Gold Glove center fielder Luis Robert looked up and made the White Sox’ 5th or 6th or 9th error of the series in grand fashion.
Anthony Rendon accidentally drove in a run thanks to that classic Fletcher hustle we all know and love, and Jared Walsh drove him in with the only hit with runners in scoring position the team would have– until the Angels came through in the bottom of the 8th.
Jared Walsh tied it up with a liner and Justin Upton ruined Mercedes’ fun in the best possible way.
Guerra took the mound again in the 9th and recorded his first save of the season with Raisel resting after pitching twice in a row. Light that baby up with comeback after comeback! We’ll take it even if it takes giving up 100 consecutive hits to a youngster.
In case you might be interested, GRich got lit up today.
it’s impressive that we’ve won two games with 8th inning rallies. In previous seasons we’d have gone meekly.
I have to admit when Walsh came up I switched to the UCLA game and only later checked to see how badly the Angels lost, only to be happily surprised.
There was at least one viable source of happiness as the ending to UCLA was not a pleasant of an outcome.
Even though they lost the game, I think UCLA won in a lot of ways. Their energy, teamwork, spirit and determination as huge underdogs was not lost on anyone- including potential recruits. That game put UCLA basketball firmly back on the map and established the program as up-and-coming.
We were just as proud of the Bruins as anyone could have been and the all around team work and chemistry is kudos to Cronin and staff. But still in shock how quick it ended. But that game and the team will long be remembered.
Well Let’s give em a participation trophy then. I’m sure UCLA will be fine and will be able reap the benefits in recruiting, but jeez, you guys sound like a bunch of pre 2002 Angel fans.
Since I can’t get in during the gamethread- I’m hoping for some Ohtani magic today!
Also – that UCLA v Gonzaga basketball game may be one of the best sporting events I’ve ever seen. Just an incredible game. An instant classic!!
An amazing game, still in shock and buzzing….I watched a lot of PAC 12 games this year and I never saw this coming. The strength and momentum UCLA displayed was just crazy. Beat Mich St, Alabama, Michigan and finally lost a game that could have gone either way., Gonzaga, who destroyed USC. UCLA were 14 point underdogs. So proud of the program and hats off to Mick Cronin, give him a freaking extension.
Absolutely- Cronin deserves an extension. He had that team ready and they consistently played at a level of excellence during the tournament.
Happy the Halos won, but still glad I watched the UCLA game instead.
A very fun observation that we could easily be 0-3 if the White Sox defense was competent =)
So true.
I think that overstates it a bit. The reality is that without clutch hitting and much better pitching in games 1 and 3, the Angels could be 0-3 even with those errors. So they have been way more opportunistic than in the last 5 seasons which is a positive. Every team eventually gets extra outs. It’s what they do with them that matters.
Yeah definitely, I don’t think we’ve been bad or any means in this series. I think if each team got partial wins for performances in a game, we would probably be at, if not very close to, 1.5-1.5 at this moment. Clutch hitting is fun, but I assume it’s variance-based. Which is not a dig, because as we all know, everyone needs luck, and it would be good to have it this year.
Baseball is too much of a game of inches without some luck. 2002 was full of lucky moments, during the regular season and playoffs, bolstered by great/opportunistic performances by Glaus, Salmon, Anderson etc and a rock solid bullpen.
In both games 1 and 3 in this series, the offense rallied to come back. Last night it was the single by Rendon, triple by Walsh and the big fly by Upton that made the biggest difference. Otherwise the Sox’ boner occurs and the Angels still lose.
We’re due. So many years we’ve the team that could be the winner if our defense or luck was better.
The White Sox’s difficulty catching balls takes me back to the 2002 ALDS when every time Alfonso Soriano got underneath a ball, we all expected him to drop it.
Soriano was never a Gold Glover. Robert ,on the other hand, just got one last year to now accompany the bump on his noggin.
Luis Robert’s boner almost makes you forget about Jo Adell’s…..Almost.
Adell and Robert both Cansecoed it.
Yeah, to add injury to insult he not only made a terrible error, but the damn ball hit him in the head !!
I was going to say head boner but I thought that may be a little much
That was one seriously good game. Trout looked kind of flummoxed in those strikeouts, though. Highlight was Walsh banging on third base after his triple. Love that spirit.
Condensed game on mlb tv is really cool even if you went to the game.
Really fun win!!
Game thread problems are frustrating.
The whole site goes into snail mode during a game thread.
The critical level appears to be between 150 and 200 posts.
Wonderful series thus far. We could easily be 0-3. Love the solid bullpen in the wins and the eighth inning heroics
You called it. We have had a few lucky breaks but we will all take em!!
Met slegers parents (super cool took a pic with my kid) on the way out of the stadium, wish those uploads worked
Upload to Imgur(don’t do it, red floyd) and then post the link here.
I’m going to have to create an Imgur account then upload thanks for the rec
I can get gifs to upload just fine, just not OG pics
How tall is dad? 5′ 9″ ?
Dude, his dad is like 7’. I’m a good 6’3” and I noticed him walking out TOWERING over me.
So how did you know it was his dad?
If I could upload the pic I would, it would be pretty obvi even tho you’re prob being sarcastic
Unfortunately but it seems like you know me without even knowing me.
Teheran and Harvey threw well enough to win, so it would have been horrible if we lost today. Thanks god.
Walsh did his job twice so hopefully he earns more ABs to prove 2020 no fluke.
And Tony Watson GOLD, stopping the Mercedes
Sutton Really Really needs to work on his home run calls. The call on J Up’s blast sounded like a rhinoceros in heat
I agree, he doesn’t get me excited about home runs when they happen.
Outside of that though I have absolutely loved his commentary. He has such a casual buds talking to buds approach that I’m really drawn to. Great addition, just needs to amp up the excitement when appropriate.
After the postgame they replayed the game on the BS network and his intro was really upbeat so i think he has talent. he’s followed a lot of college and prep athletes so he definitely has knowledge. I think part of his problem on TV is figuring out when not to talk during the game versus his PXP experience on radio.
But man he needs to get his HR and great play calls fixed.
Welll…um…not sure how you know what a Rhino in heat sounds like, and it’s probably best that way.
Marlin Perkins was a friend of mine. Senator, you’re no Marlin Perkins
Hi. I’m Marlin Perkins. Today on Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, I’m going to stay safe in the helicopter, while Jim single-handedly faces a sex crazed rhino. We’ll be back right after this message from Mutual of Omaha.
LIGHT UP THE HALO!!!!
Just Another Halos Victory!!!!
Whatta game!
Even though the site wouldn’t let me join the game thread 😢
Boo! No fun without B!!!
We’re gonna win it all this year aren’t we?
6-14 is within reach!
*High fives*
Angels and making me change the postgame last second. NAME A BETTER DUO.
If they truly cared about you they would have lost.
I was not aware we could play well in April but I AM HERE FOR IT!
I thought it was against MLB rules!
You’re thinking of punishing cheaters.
There is a sub section in the rule book that states : If a team actually starts the season at home, said team is allowed to win games. Although Manfred is eyeing changes to this sub section.
I don’t think the A’s or Red Sox got that memo this year.
Yeah, but it’s the A’ss and the Sux. Who cares?