Halos offense explodes in double-blitz extravaganza

Angels A LOT, Mariners MUCH LESS

Show a friend who’s never watched baseball before this game, and they will come away with the impression that (1) the Angels are the best team in the world and (2) this sport probably isn’t that much fun.

But we, the starving Angels fans of this season, welcome the strong offensive performance against an overachieving team striving for the Wild Card spot they will probably not obtain. It feels good, to be on this side of the scoreline for what seems like the first time in ages.

Shohei Ohtani, the Man Who Walks, flew out of the gates today. After a Brandon Marsh leadoff single, Ohtani cracked a triple into the right field corner.

Phil Gosselin brought him in, and the Halos were in business.

Luis Rengifo added a solo shot in the second.

Jaime Barria, the Angels starter, was pulled in the third inning due to arm fatigue, and his replacement, Jhonathan Díaz, quickly allowed a third inning Mariners run. Incidentally, Díaz ended up “saving” the bullpen with his long relief work today, as much as one can save a bullpen that is stocked with like thirty-seven relievers.

The third began much like the first: Marsh singled, and Ohtani tripled again.

But this time, the Angels added on. Gosselin, Mayfield, Stassi, and Walsh all reached before Lagares made an out. Fletcher made the second, and then Marsh, Ohtani, and Gosselin drove in MORE runs before Mayfield ended that incredible eight-spot blitz with the third out.

Not to be outdone (by hitting), Justus Sheffield came out in the fifth and completely lost the plot. He walked Marsh, Ohtani (Bingo! if you had Ohtani multi-walk game), Gosselin, and Mayfield, and Walsh doubled everyone home off a different reliever. The second blitz of the game only produced three runs, but the game was already incredibly out of reach.

Title Image from Angels Twitter

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WallyChuckChili
Legend
2 years ago

You trying to say we missed out on Justin Turner?

Fansince1971
Legend
2 years ago

I’m not sure I dislike anything more than your ‘strong arm’ emojis.

red floyd
Legend
2 years ago

comment image

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago

A direct quote from the Mike Trout? Are you so stupid that you would call the GOAT a liar?

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Cowboy26

Soooo…. what’s fake news? Who is lying to Trout? What is he being lied to about? What are you right about? What is this “again” shit?

Stop strangling the puppies Lenny, it’s off-putting.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

Wait. I just figured it out. You reply to other people’s posts, but you’re too dim to actually click the REPLY button, so people who aren’t part of the episode of Saved By The Bell that’s going on inside your head can’t tell what you’re getting at.

Suck less.  💪  🍆  👈 

tommyshalo
Trusted Member
2 years ago

So you’re telling me there is a chance???

“This offseason is going to be big,” Trout said. “We have a lot of money to spend. Hopefully we go out there, get some good guys. I trust Perry, I trust the top guys in this organization.”

Mia
Legend
Mia
2 years ago
Reply to  tommyshalo

Expect nothing and you’ll never be disappointed. I’ve been promised big off-seasons one too many times.

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  tommyshalo

I’ll believe when Arte says those exact same words. Otherwise after 10 years with the franchise, Trout has become under Arte’s spell with the “just wait until next year” bullshit.

MarineLayer
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  tommyshalo

How much money does he think Arte will spend with his, Upton and the great Tony RenDones contracts on the books? Not enough to get two top-end starting pitchers, a SS, and an entire bullpen.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  MarineLayer

Also, which top end starting pitchers is he supposed to sign? You should be mad at Arte but be extra large snot bubble mad at the cosmos.

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago

Latest On Angels’ Offseason PlansBy Mark Polishuk | September 25, 2021 at 10:18pm CDT

  • The Angels have needs in both the rotation and at shortstop, though a source tells Mike DiGiovanna of The Los Angeles Times that the team is more willing to spend big on pitching, and the Angels could “perhaps scrimp a bit at shortstop.” This could indicate a shortstop acquisition akin to the Halos’ pickup of Jose Iglesias from the Orioles last winter, with the Angels obviously hoping for much more than Iglesias’ underwhelming performance in Anaheim. Though several star shortstops will be available in free agency, it is hard to argue against pitching as the greater need, considering that Los Angeles has long been hampered by a lack of healthy and productive arms. Manager Joe Maddon believes the Angels need two front-of-the-rotation starters, telling The L.A. Times’ Bill Shaikin and other reporters that while he thinks his team has a “championship-capable” core of position players, “it’s almost impossible for it to happen” without an upgraded rotation. Maddon used his former organization as a comparison point, noting that the Cubs wouldn’t have won the 2016 World Series without their signings of Jon Lester and John Lackey.
Twebur
Legend
2 years ago

Mariners season
Slip slidin’ away
Slip slidin’ away
You know the nearer your destination
The more you’re slip slidin’ away

https://youtu.be/iUODdPpnxcA

Twebur
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

100%.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Twebur

Because he:

  • Destroyed our farm system with inane draft choices
  • Destroyed our international free agent acquisition process with one of the most egregious foreign player signings in the history of baseball
  • Created this mess and then just walked out.

Is that enough or do you need more?

Fansince1971
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Just walked out in the MIDDLE of the season. That weak ass shit.

MikeSalmon
Super Member
2 years ago

Re: Shohei’s first triple: if Albert had hit that he would’ve had a clean single, rounding first, thinking of going to 2nd, but looking at the throw back in and thinking better of it.

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  MikeSalmon

If Paul McAnulty had hit that he would have been thrown out at first. However what’s the point since neither play for the Angels nor had that hit.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago

But can he pitch?

red floyd
Legend
2 years ago

Obligatory mention after Paul McAnulty.

But how would John Lannon have pitched?

Last edited 2 years ago by red floyd
FungoAle
Super Member
2 years ago

Shohei did not look “gassed” to me tonight. Looked plenty fine, especially when the other players show signs of ability.

John Henry Weitzel
Editor
Super Member
2 years ago

Was playing a board game with my family instead of watching.

Wow.

WOW this game.

Where the hell eat this will year?

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
2 years ago

I love cell phones

John Henry Weitzel
Editor
Super Member
2 years ago

.-.

Typing in mobile is a pain and a half

MikeSalmon
Super Member
2 years ago

Autocorrect is your worst enema.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

Honestly, I think you just plopped down the battle cry for this coming off season…

“Where the hell eat this will year!?!”

It can mean so many thing….

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago

Yep Hosey is probably jealous.

steelgolf
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

🤣

red floyd
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  steelgolf

He’s still trying to play good enough until last out until also something good happens for you

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
2 years ago

74 wins, 7 games left. I’ll be happy with 78, I guess.

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend

You’ll take 77 and like it mister.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago

Pitching and hitting in the same game, we are just not used to seeing this Awesome Display of Great Baseball.

FungoAle
Super Member
2 years ago

I wish some of the hit parade rubbed off on poor Davey. Nosediving to 0.250. 0-5 tonight.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  FungoAle

Maybe he’s gassed from all the pitching he’s doing? Or it’s all Arte and Perry’s fault? Though, all kidding aside, I think he’s a line up dependent slapper. That’s a fine thing to have as long as you have a line up. I bet he’s back to .290 next year if our big bats make it back.

Twebur
Legend
red floyd
Legend
2 years ago

Are we allowed to do that? I thought we were allowed one or the other, but not both.

Fansince1971
Legend
2 years ago

Had they won last night we would have had Shufflebot tinight

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Fansince1971

Man. I was barely annoyed at the loss last night. Now you tell me this tonight and I’m pissed AF.

Fansince1971
Legend
2 years ago

I know. Me too!

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

but I can see it in my mind…the shuffling, the lady clapping her hands…the two different shoes…

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

The guy over his shoulder that looks like 80s mohawk Hank Conger.

DowningDude
Legend
2 years ago

comment image

steelgolf
Super Member
2 years ago

Wonder if Diaz is going to take a run at becoming a starter next season? He cruised with just over 90 pitches. Impressive, and not something I’m used to when watching Angels games.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  steelgolf

Yep, that pitching performance was what we wish would happen more often with more guys with average fastballs. Few walks, good control in the strike zone, not a ton of pitches, less drag on other pitchers.

I don’t know about being a starter, but Diaz sure looked like he could pull off being an opener or follow up an opener.

matthiasstephan
Super Member
2 years ago

At least trying to put himself in contention – will likely see him in camp.

nishiogawakun
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  steelgolf

Very nice indeed! That’s the stuff that I want to see!

FungoAle
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  steelgolf

Just putting it in perspective, he is not in the Top 30 Halo prospects and has FB and control are sketchy. But there might be nights like this.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  FungoAle

On the bright side, while guys with his stuff usually don’t rank as prospects and are ignored by scouts, guys like this who become good pitchers are thus almost always missed by scouts. We’ll just have to see.

DaveChalk
Trusted Member
2 years ago

Well. I couldn’t have asked for a better game for my last Big A visit of the year. Even better – my buddy who went with me is a Mariners fan!

FungoAle
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  DaveChalk

The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
2 years ago

I should probably save this for later but what the heck…just another reason to enjoy tonight.

a-grounded into a double play for Lux in the 7th

Jim Atkins
Super Member
2 years ago

I’m trying to remember the last time I saw or listened to a game with two triples by the same player. I sure can’t think of one. Anybody know when the last time we had a double Halo Blitz? Holy crap.

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  Jim Atkins

August 3rd of this year vs Texas. We won 11-3.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
2 years ago

Marsh the fleet footed CF.

FungoAle
Super Member
2 years ago

Who in the hell pissed in the Angels cornflakes to cause this breakout?

I’ll forgive another Rengifo error.

Fansince1971
Legend
2 years ago
Reply to  FungoAle

I’d like another one of these tomorrow!

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  FungoAle

Rengifo. Fields Ok but can’t hit. Hits OK but can’t field. I think he still has 2 waiver options left, but with solid SS options knocking on the upper minors door next year will he be allowed to take up 40 man space for all that long?

Speaking of… I think Diaz may be out of options….

matthiasstephan
Super Member
2 years ago

Question is whether he is a better bench piece than Goose, Captain Jack, or Barreto (or if anyone can compete for SS next year).

Auditioning him for trade purposes (like us sending Jam Jones to Baltimore for Alex Cobb) is also not the worst idea (no one is trading for the Plumber).

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

Bu bu but the Plumber has grit. we’ve all seen it.

For all the hair fires burning over Rengifo the truth is they don’t have to do much of anything with him. Sure, if someone wants him in trade, trade him. He’s still young, has options left, and has seen how tough the MLB is. They can just send him to AAA for now and if he keeps hitting and fielding there then give him another shot later. If he sucks, he eventually loses his 40 man spot. No real harm either way.

If he’d come up and just lit the league on fire this last month it may have earned him a 25 man spot but I think he’s blown that. That’s fine, even if he’d been pure fire I would have wanted to sign a SS this off season.

I say first day of free agency Perry should just offer Jonathan Villar 3/24M and sew up SS/utility while the A ball shortstops develop. He’s not slow, he fields meh OK, he has some pop, his splits as a switch hitter are crazy even and plays multiple positions. He’s useful.

Cowboy26
Legend
2 years ago

It maybe doubtful that the Goose will be back next year since he’s Arbitration eligible. Captain Jack will have 2 options left and a renewable salary so I would think he will definitely be back ( unless there is major change in the new CBA in club control rule for the older players) Barreto is also arbitration eligible with no options left but everyone seems to love him despite a career threatening arm industry and a MLB career .175 BA & .549 OPS after 237 PA’s. He might be an excellent DFA candidate. Since Rengifo’s return from the minors his OPS has been .735 exclusively as a shortstop while his defense has been better but not stellar. I’m curious how effective he will be with the team unless the Angels are content on playing him as the everyday shortstop since the attempts at utility roles have been a disaster.

Not sure what the trade value of the Stefanic is but I can assure if he is not on the 40 man roster in December before the MLB rule 5 draft a perennial loser like the Pirates or Orioles ( So far Jahmai Jones has not looked like the answer to the Bard’s second base woes despite their best efforts to deprogram him from the Angels incompetent instruction) will draft him in a heartbeat.

My take is the Angels will spend big ( or at least try) to spend big this off season on pitching and as a result band aid some other needs at short and catcher. I would love to see the Angels finally develop (or trade for) a real super utility player. Fletch could have been that guy if he didn’t develop a hitch in his tennis swing. But With all of the injuries especially to the rotation , I suspect they will initially carry a crap load of pitchers on the 40 man roster until injuries arise. So guys like Stefanic who need to be placed on the 40 man before spring training probably won’t be around for 2022.

matthiasstephan
Super Member
2 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

I think you oversell the Rule 5 potential of Stefanic. He is hitting well, but without that cup of coffee to show MLB potential, and without the pedigree of being drafted, or coming from a baseball environment, and having just jumped from A to AAA this past year – it might be tough to put him on a 25-man for all of 2022. It would essentially jump him over anyone else’s internal prospects.

Maybe you are right, and Pittsburgh or Texas or Baltimore have a roster spot available – but I wouldn’t be overly worried if he were exposed.

Last edited 2 years ago by matthiasstephan
Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend

Diaz signed with Boston in 2013. He’s 25 now. I’m not sure how options are calculated, but his call up this month to the Angels was the first time he has been on any Major League roster

matthiasstephan
Super Member
2 years ago

Fangraphs says he has 3 MiLB options. I think that means he is on the Salt Lake bus (if he makes it back up to the majors) the next season or three.

steelgolf
Super Member
2 years ago

If he can build off of his magic in this game the he definitely deserves a spot on the roster.

WallyChuckChili
Legend
2 years ago

LTBU!comment image

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

Sizzlin