The Angels got Trout, Rendon, and 2 way Ohtani back. By doing so, it changed the lineup from mediocre to the best in baseball. It was a wild game. One that went from good to horrible to great. Such Rollercoaster games just feels so Angels.
Recap
Ohtani had a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day on the mound. In the first. After getting through that, and giving up 4 runs, Ohtani hit and was able to get through the 5th without any more damage. 5 innings, 4 runs, 3 hits, 2 walks, and 9 strikeouts. Oh and he scored 3 runs, had a double, a bunt base hit, and a walk as a hitter. Not ideal but I will certainly take it.
It was a hit parade for the Halos bats as every starter got a hit! Except Rendon. 3 home runs! 16 hits total, the offense looked great. In particular, Ohtani had 3 runs scored, Trout had 4 hits, and Walsh went 3-5 with a double and 2 RBI.
The Angels scored first thanks to Walsh driving in Ohtani. Ohtani was wild and let 4 Rangers score in the bottom of the first. The Angels tied it with 3 in the 2nd thanks to an Ohtani double and Trout single. Back to back home runs in the 3rd by Upton and Pujols gave the Angels the lead. Trout doubled in another and it was 7-4 Angels. That stayed until 6th when Walsh doubled in run 8 and in the 7th, Iglesias hit a home run for the 9th run.
Bullpen wise, Slegers, Claudio, and Watson pitched 4 scoreless innings. It was good relief pitching for once. Angels pitching had 12 strikeouts total. Maddon pulled a double switch in the 8th because why not, and Rojas took over 1st base. With the good bullpen today, Ohtani got his first win since 2018.
Highlights
Healthy
With Trout and Rendon back, things are looking up again. Luis Rengifo was sent back down. Also Juan Lagares and Max Stassi look to come back soon too. Oh and don’t forget about Felix Peña, he should be in the bullpen soon too.
The Angels are now 11-10 and above .500 again. Up next, more games vs Texas. 5 pm again tomorrow.
I still don’t know how Ohtani righted the ship and went 5 innings after that disaster of a first inning.
Two things in my opinion:
1. Mark Langston actually was interesting on this subject. He pointed out in the first that Ohtani had no time to ready himself after getting on base, running around the bases and scoring. He said pitching the first inning is always tough but particularly so when mentally there isn’t the time to fully be ready. This is a downside to him batting 2nd. By comparison in the 2nd inning Ohtani had about 7-8 minutes after scoring to gather himself. Rendon’s walk was really important in this regard.
2. I think someone told him to trust throwing his fastball because he began to do so in the 2nd and once he established it, all his other pitches improved.
If he can pitch consistently like he did innings 2-5….wow!
Langston makes sense. Although I still don’t remember seeing a pitcher go from that bad to start a game giving up 4 runs in the first, then turn it completely around for the next 4 innings. That is some big time mental toughness and competitive drive going on there.
Apparently he made a small adjustment as to where he stands on the mound, moving several inches towards 3B. But the fastball usage also makes sense to me as I feel he does not use it enough to challenge hitters. It looked like the pitch Lowe hit out was a curveball hanging over the middle of the plate. No need to rely on your third or fourth best pitch in that situation with runners on.
I wounder what Ohtani is drinking in the cover photo?
I prepared myself for a rough game today, but the first inning was even worse than all my anticipations.
Then everything after the second inning turned out positive and by the time that terrible 47degree launch angle bunt happened, I was able to laugh out.
Props to the bullpen for the 4shutout innings.
This lineup is exciting.
One word for Maddon, please don’t leave it up to Sho and rest him.
Otherwise we are going to see this guy playing in every single game he can.
This is why Soggy Joe brought out the hook early today.
https://twitter.com/FabianArdaya/status/1386890168351612930
Good catch!
Dude needs to spend an off-season chopping firewood or learning the guitar.
Or pissing on his hands in the shower. (Not sure he’ll make too many friends doing that though)
Why would that drive away friends? People basically put pee on their hands all the time (urea is in many lotions).
I think I’ll stick to the fist bump then . Thank You.
Soaking his hands in pickle juice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzmTtusvjR4
Madge, is that you?
Isn’t that the same thing as pee?
I believe this is what Nolan Ryan used to prevent blisters.
How did I not see this before!
Celebrate the win!
So… much… manliness…
Someone should post the young kid excited about the hockey goal. I can find that one.
You rang?
That’s it!!
Here’s one from the past:
I cannot get a gif to load properly on my phone for the life of me.
But that was a great f*cking game. 🔥🔥
There we go
Manliness
Wow. Waldo has really let himself go.
Dude, that’s Captain America.
If he’s military, I don’t want him showing his Privates.
Albert is making me eat crow.
Honestly, I don’t think there are many people here who if you asked them in March if they thought Albert would have 5 HR by April 26th would have said “yes.” So, you’re not alone.
LIGHT UP THE HALO!!!!
Just Another Halos Victory!!!!
I tuned in bottom of the first and the game seemed to be going all wrong.
Cue Fletcher with a 2 out full count take for a walk to extend the inning, an Ohtani bullet, and momentum from then on.
Ohtani was marvelous. Sure it was an awful first but the mark of a true champion is how one responds to adversity. He rocks a double to score 2 and then scores. From that point on he was incredible on the mound. What a story line. We are watching history!!
Well that team is more fun to watch!
By the way – I’ve made a decision only to bring the dancing robot out after 3 or more wins in a row. So hopefully we see him tomorrow night!
I’ll imagine him then
Want him to be special!!
I hope we see him tomorrow, and that he never leaves again.
152-10 is technically possible.
I’m looking for 163-10.
That works, too.
Ha!
Honestly – like all baseball fans I’m a bit superstitious. When I was bringing him in after single wins, the team would lose the next day. So my thought is to bring the robot in on more special occasions.
so we will have a lot of 3 game winning streaks this year but no 4 gamers?
Hahaha. We will test it out. It’s early in the season so trying to figure out the right time for the robot
I’ll take .750 for the rest of the season!
But thats only 36 more robots before the playoffs
Angels Win!
Poor trout already hates media, he keeps hearing himself on the post game audio interview with jose on BSW but still does a good job answering questions.
He wanted out of that interview ASAP
He’s more engaged if Alex is asking the questions.
Aren’t we all.
I thought he was married?
I’m pretty sure the pronouns in his bio are he/him.
He never looked comfortable in interviews, from the very beginning. Actually I think he has come a long way and is much better than he once was.
You’re on top of it JHW
Thanks.
Gold
Love this one, especially since he’s overshadowing the Doyers.