The Angels showed off the fully armed and operational Shohei Ohtani, having him bat and pitch in the same game. It was an Opening Day preview, sort of, as most of the offense was the B team. Still, it was a much watch game to be sure.
Out of all the players, however, it was Justin Upton, who put the Hot in Hot Pocket by blasting the ball twice for 6 RBI including a Grand Slam! WOW!
Recap
1st
Shohei Ohtani led off the game with a groundout. Mike Trout walked and Matt Duffy singled to put 2 on with 1 out. Walsh singled to load the bases for Taylor Ward. He came through, and singled in two! 2-0 Angels!
With an early lead, Ohtani didn’t quite have it, allowing 2 runs to score and tie the game up. 2-2 After 1.
2nd
Tyler Wade hit a one out triple to put a runner 90 feet away for Ohtani. He grounded out to score Wade. 3-2 Angels. Mike Trout struck out to end the inning.
Again with a lead, Ohtani refocused and shut down the Brewers in order with some help from… Justin Upton? 3-2 Angels after 2.
3rd
Duffy had himself another hit, singling to start the 3rd. Walsh flew out to the warning track, as did Ward, but Justin Upton hit it over for a 2 run home run! 5-2 Angels!
Ohtani had another 1-2-3 inning. He was now in a groove.
4th
Shohei had a 2 out single, but that was it for the offense as Trout popped up to end the inning.
Unfortunately, things spiraled out of control in the bottom half. Runners got on, and Mayfield booted a ball that could have ended the inning. Instead, Ohtani allowed the bases to be loaded with one out and Jimmy Herget came in. A sac fly scored a run, 5-3 Angels.
5th
Matt Duffy walked, and Walsh bunted for a single to put two on. Ward walked to load the bases and Justin Upton hit a Grand Slam! 9-3 Angels!
Then Jack Mayfield redeemed himself with a home run of his own! 10-3 Angels!
Jimmy stayed in on the mound as the subs came in. He got out of two jams and it was still 10-3 Angels after 5.
6th
Walsh had a 2 out single, his third hit of the game. That was it for the offense however.
D-Cell got his work in. And by work in I mean 2 outs and then screwed up a bit, allowing a baserunner and a 2 run shot. 10-5 Angels after 6.
7th
Brandon Marsh and Tyler Wade got singles but they were in between outs by Adell, Mayfield, and Palmeiro.
Aaron Loup came in to pitch next and while he did allow hits, no damage was taken. Still 10-5 Angels after 7.
8th
Jose Rojas had a 2 out walk, but nothing else happened for the Angels offense.
Kyle Barraclough took the mound next, and he did a good job. A 1-2-3 8th inning kept the lead intact. 10-5 Angels after 8.
9th
Brandon Marsh had a hustle single for the only baserunner of the 9th for the Halos.
Brian Moran closed out the game, striking out the first batter, and striking out the second batter, but the third batter singled. And the 4th batter did as well. 2 on 2 out, and the 6th batter struck out to finally end the game.
The Angels win 10-5.
Some fresh oil and he’s ready to go!!
Spring Training Robot Premature Ejaculation.
Win 3 in a row and he’s ready to go. Spring Training or no.
“They were incredible. I was blown away. That organization is headed for great, great things. The people from the top down are incredible. They’re with it, man.”
Marcus Stroman………about the GIGANTES not the Angels. Why can’t we ever have SP’s pitchers speak of us in those glowing terms? Instead Zack Greinke’s wife hates Oranje Kountee more than Los Sanjeles I gess. Something to be seething and ruminate over……..ain’t healthy.
So why, then, do you continue to seethe and ruminate so much, numero dos?
“From that dinner, I got a sense of his passion and desire to win, and it got me really fired up,” Syndergaard said. “And just being able to talk pitching mechanics with the guy, I don’t really know too many GMs I trust about that. But it was a just breath of fresh air to just hear his baseball knowledge. “
Wade has wheels. I replayed JUp’s Grand Slam over and over and all last year he never looked that good. Kept his head in and got his wrist up and follow through was smooth. If he keeps this up he could screw things up being so good again. Maybe he reads our mail, lol.
When its a choice between one last big pay day and the glue factory I think big pay day will win out.
Hopefully great trade value when we need a pitcher for our playoff run
So why did Blake only get a single on the muffed catch at the right center field warning track? That should have been a double.
Walsh held up and tagged
Yes, if you watch the replay they are both almost standing on 1st base at the same time.
All the distinguished Angel fans were there today including Premium.
https://twitter.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1509621343112740872
As well as Shohei’s biggest fan (literally)
https://twitter.com/BallySportWest/status/1509632517938327563
Upton had a good impression of a baseball player today.
Upton’s gonna have a big year and by that I mean 25-30 HRs, .270 average which will help us a lot.
I’ll have some of whatever you’re smoking, Eric.
Me too.
I’m buying what EiP is selling just off the second hand smoke.
Of course, J Up’s daily outfield and infield experiences might be quite a trip.
Some Oregon Thai sticks…
Gonna need something stronger than weed to convince me Upton is capable of those numbers.
Me three.
I like this Spring. I honestly thought we were looking at a June 1st start so this is bonus baseball.
That would be awesome because Upton was my very last desperation pick up in my most important AL only fantasy league.
Even if he hits say, .260 with 18-20 HR that would be a help. We really don’t know what Adell and Marsh will produce over a full season, so any numbers added to the OF/part-time 1b spot would help us.
If he did that while mostly spelling Marsh and Walsh vs lefties that would be huge.
A competent J Up to do that and pinch hit….
You know it’s Spring with those dreams ha ha.
True. But Honestly I think that is just as likely to happen as Thor staying healthy the entire season, making at least 25 starts and pitching to a 3.40 ERA or better.