Sloppy, weird game ends in A’s favor

A’s 5, Angels 4

Let’s just preface this post by saying that the game got off to a really shaky start. Since Shohei Ohtani was scratched due to soreness (he has since been projected to start Sunday), the Angels needed a starter for today’s game, so they called up AAA starter Jhonathan Diaz. The fact that he’s getting activated from Venezuela notwithstanding, the Angels have a million relievers and probably would have been better served going with a bullpen game than calling up a guy who seemingly isn’t ready.

Whatever. It’s the choice they made. Diaz hit the first batter of the game and then proceeded to walk two more hitters, but he got out of the jam without allowing any runs. Flushed with success, he returned in the second inning and walked two more hitters. He couldn’t get out of it this time, and he was lifted for Kyle Tyler before the inning was out. Oakland scored twice.

This could also be known as a Kurt Suzuki game. Suzuki crushed a homer in the bottom half of the inning and singled later in the game. In between those two hits, he sandwiched a great misfortune of events.

The Angels were able to get four runs in that inning, thanks to multiple Oakland errors and a couple of bunts. Unsuccessful bunts are bad, but even I must admit that when bunts are successful, they are a thing of beauty.

Angels pitching loaded the bases for a third time in the third inning, and Oakland cashed in another run.

The Angels defense had a nice play to keep the erstwhile lead in the fifth inning, with a nifty little double play.

Then Suzuki decided to…not catch the ball? Which is curious considering he plays a position called the “catcher.” He did that twice, causing both runs, which happened to be the game-tying and game-winning runs, to score. They were unearned.

The Angels could not muster much the rest of the game, and when Kean Wong got thrown out at third to end the eighth inning, the writing was on the wall that it would not be the Angels’ night.

19 Comments
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MarineLayer
Super Member
2 years ago

Wongand Suzuki just can’t be left on the roster. There must be someone on the planet better than them.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

Hmmm. Sounds pretty anti-Hawaiian to me.

AnAngelsFan
Super Member
2 years ago

The Angels are pretty much single-handedly responsible for the As being in the wild card race.

Guest
2 years ago

Didn’t watch the game, but you said the Angels had two successful bunts in one inning. That is the shocker of the year right there. I thought Fletch was the only current Angel who knew how to lay down a successful bunt.

I read an article the other day that said Starling Marte is the MLB batting average leader right now, but he hasn’t had enough ABs in either the NL or the AL to qualify for a batting title because of his mid-season trade.

FungoAle
Super Member
2 years ago

Man, that string of Angel pitchers tonight just adds to Perry’s first year resume. Pitching and run prevention on full display. Even though he is not focused on winning at this stage of the season, still is disappointing to see.

Last edited 2 years ago by FungoAle
matthiasstephan
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  FungoAle

This is just a head start on Spring Training, and letting them know who to save from Rule 5 and who needs to be on the 40-man. As we are (virtually) out of the playoff picture, what is the harm. Besides, it was still a close game.

FungoAle
Super Member
2 years ago

Sure, the head start began the week after the trade deadline, The Tank. Perfectly fine with losing to gain better draft position Just amplifies Perry’s failures after his loud proclamation the day of his presser.

matthiasstephan
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  FungoAle

Do you put down injuries to his failures? I think he has been very reactive, and made changes few have made in the past (cutting Pujols, benching Bundy, trading Heaney, cutting legacy bullpen pieces).

He hasn’t been here long – but we still (despite all of the injuries, despite what you call ‘The Tank’) will have an improved record over last year.

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
2 years ago

Another not caught ball on the pitch where Suzuki got clipped on the wrist. The ball popped out of his glove and I think that’s why the swing follow through got him.

steelgolf
Super Member
2 years ago

Blame YouTube game. Just stop doing that MLB.

DowningDude
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  steelgolf

I couldn’t find the game on TV – watched Netflix instead

steelgolf
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  DowningDude

Yep, you had to go to YouTube. I tried watching a YouTube game before and I will never again.

MarineLayer
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  steelgolf

Who were those announcers?

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  DowningDude

We thought it was some type of “Blackout” so we watched Disney Plus, who knew.

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  DowningDude

Sophie’s Choice…….

Fansince1971
Legend
2 years ago

Sad Shufflebot

WallyChuckChili
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

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