Michael Lorenzen versus Frankie Montas. A battle of the aces? Ummm OK. So here is my highly technical and unbiased middle school version of a scorecard.
Tony Kemp grounded out to first. You die fool! Sheldon Neuse flies out to right. You die fool! Jed Lowrie lines out to left. You die fool! So far so good.
Shohei Ohtani singled to third. Heh heh heh! Mike Trout struck out, but he meant to do that. Anthony Rendon lined out to shortstop, but he meant to do that. The Angels are just scoping out their weaknesses. Jared Walsh grounded out to second base. We apparently didn’t find their weakness yet.
Seth Brown grounded out to shortstop. You die fool! Ramon Laureano was hit by a pitch. We probably didn’t mean to do that. Sean Murphy then grounded into a force out. You die fool! Luis Barrera grounded out to second. You die fool!
Brandon marsh struck out swinging. He meant to do that though, obviously. He was swinging after all. Luis Rengifo lined out to first base. Frankie Montas left the game with an injury. (I don’t think we meant to do that). Chad Wallach grounded out to third. I realize Ohtani had gotten a hit to third, but apparently you can’t win them all.
Christian Pache flied out to right. You die fool! Nick Allen struck out swinging. You die fool! Tony Kemp walked. Lorenzen meant to do that, of course. Sheldon Neuse singled to Tyler Wade. All right. I don’t think we meant to do that. Jed Lowrie struck out to end the inning, just like we planned.
Tyler Wade popped out, but he probably meant to do that. Andrew Velasquez did a sac-bunt with nobody on base. There’s still nobody on base, I guess. Shohei Ohtani grounded out to first base. Umm. The Sun must have been in his eyes.
Seth Brown struck out swinging. Obviously we meant to do that. Chad Pinder singled on a line drive to left fielder Brandon Marsh. I’m not sure if we meant to do that. Maybe Joe Maddon has some sort of a plan. Sean Murphy grounded out to second. The plan is working so far. But wait! There’s less!!! The call was overturned and Murphy is on first and Pinder made it to second. Luis Barrera struck out swinging. Naturally we meant to do that too. Christian Pache struck out swinging on three pitches. I love it when a plan comes together.
Mike Trout hit a fly ball out to right. We hadn’t really tested that guy yet. Why don’t one of our guys test some of those fans out there in the bleachers? They probably have gloves. Anthony Rendon grounded out to third base. We already tested that guy a couple of times. I still think we should try the fans out there in the bleachers. The Athletics brought in a left handed pitcher (Kolarek) to face Walsh. Neener! Neener! You guys are afraid of Walsh. Walsh grounded out to the pitcher. I doubt if he meant to do that, although we hadn’t yet tested that guy.
We meant to get Nick Allen to pop out to the shortstop and so he did. Tony Kemp grounded out to Velasquez, further burnishing the laurels of our glorious middle infield. Sheldon Neuse also grounded out to Velasquez.. MVP! MVP! (And I don’t mean Neuse.)
Brandon Marsh struck out in the fifth inning. I’m almost positive he didn’t mean to do that. Luis Rengifo hit a homer, on purpose. 1-0 Angels. Chad Wallach then doubled. Knowing Angels catching I’m not entirely sure that was what he was trying to do, but I’ll take it. Tyler Wade struck out. No comment and don’t quote me. Andrew Velasquez then grounded out to third. At least he swung the bat.
Lorenzen walked Jed Lowrie although at least he used a lot of pitches to do it. Oh wait. That’s not good. Oh. Seth Brown grounded into a double play. That’s convenient. Chad Pinder then grounded out so I can start typing about the Angels again.
Shohei Ohtani singled. The scaredy cats then walked Mike Trout. (Two men on and no outs.). Let’s roll on over these chumps!
Anthony Rendon proceeded to single. Maybe this guy might work out after all. Jared Walsh struck out swinging. One out. Lou Trevino faced Brandon Marsh and walked in a run. Is Joe Maddon also managing the As? Luis Rengifo singled in another run and drove Trevino out of the game. Chad Wallach grounded into a double play to end all the fun. Well, it’s 3-0 anyway. For Wallach:
Uh Oh! They brought in Ryan Tepera. Sean Murphy lined out to Andrew Velasquez. Barrera hit a fly ball out to Mike Trout. Christian Pache grounded out to Andrew Velasquez. All right. I’ll take it.
Tyler Wade came up and singled this time. Then holy moly! Babe Velasquez homered again.
Get a load of those sweaters! Trout and Ohtani both unfortunately made out. Anthony Rendon, though walked on five pitches. Jared Walsh struck out looking.
Aaron Loup came in to replace Tepera in the eighth inning. Nick Allen grounded out to first. Kevin Smith doubled. Sheldon Neuse singled to drive in Kevin Smith. Is it too late to bring back Tepera? I guess so. Jed Lowrie doubled to score Sheldon Neuse. Christian Bethancourt came in to bat for Seth Brown and grounded out. Chad Pinder walked to chase Aaron Loup out of the game. Enter Oliver Ortega. It didn’t help. Sean Murphy singled to bring his batting average clear up to .200 and also load the bases. A wild pitch scored Jed Lowrie from third.
Everything is not groovy! At least Ortega got the third out by striking out Luis Barrera.
Brandon Marsh grounded out to second baseman Sheldon Neuse. Luis Rengifo grounded out to shortstop Nick Allen. Can Chad Wallach do anything in the bottom of the eighth? Yes. He can strike out.
Raisel Iglesias came in, as one might expect, in the top of the ninth inning with the Angels leading 5-3. Christian Pache contributed a fly ball out to Mike Trout. Elvis Andrus struck out on three pitches. I guess Elvis left the building. Kevin Smith struck out on four pitches. The Angels win 5-3!
Remembering Vangelis, as long as I am playing music today.
Photo credit: Rex Fregosi
I’m really beginning to dislike Sunday’s day games; the lineups are always weak.
They are my favorite (but also the ones I can see most easily).
If you have to use Duffey, I would prefer Walsh to Wade in the outfield
FYI: 2+ up in the Wild Card.
Wild Card Shmild Card. You know the wild card teams never go all the way.
Don’t tell John Lackey that, he might disagree…….funny stuff.
After we win today, 26-17
The WC making 2002 WS Champion Angels, on May 22 2002, were 27-17.
Coincidence?
https://twitter.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1528442075020087296?s=20&t=B8TNBmhjd7cCPLjAFz_i8A
Duffy batting 4th again. Great.
Does not inspire confidence.
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Joe was first posting todays lineup…what’s up with that?
Yeah, you are right. It is rare for him to post the lineup this early.
Ward might be available to PH.
Would love that. I just hope it does not mean we are behind in the game.
no Ward, no Walsh but, of course, Wade and Squid every day. Because we have no real alternative, other than Duffy, at middle infield.
Well, in Joe’s defense we DO know why Ward is not in there.
Bradley and Jose Quijada close to returning
https://twitter.com/steve_wendt/status/1528223576909746176?s=20&t=S_ffNx7_xzCNq_B8yPuB-Q
https://twitter.com/steve_wendt/status/1528219372317159424?s=20&t=S_ffNx7_xzCNq_B8yPuB-Q
https://twitter.com/steve_wendt/status/1528225983093821446?s=20&t=S_ffNx7_xzCNq_B8yPuB-Q
What a great write up, Charles!
While it was a great win, it seems that nothing comes easy for the Angels. While I realize a lot of posters here have always preferred Lorenzen as a deliver I have carried high hopes for him as a starter and he is showing it.Now for the not easy part. First we may have gotten real lucky when Reny knocked out Montas in the 2nd inning. Second did we expect Loop to fail in the 8th inning? Third sis we get lucky with that check swing call against Elvis in the 9th? Last but not least did anyone expect HRs ftom Reny and Squid?
The Elvis strike three call was the right call. You could say we were fortunate, but it was the right call. That was pure rule book stuff. In fact, a strike can even be called on a pitch that hits the batter if he in fact swings at it. Elvis’ bat clearly went through the strike zone, thus Elvis left the building.
I have seen the the swing and miss, hit by pitch. I think my point on this one is that we actually got the call go our way considering our track record
Yes I prefer Lorenzen deliver us form losing and thats exactly what he did last night.
I prefer Lorenzen to deliver us form evil………the A’ss
Still wish he was our #2 SP behind ShohTime. And then maybe “Mr Sunk Cost LF” would be wearing green & gold in the A’s AAA club.
💪 💪 💪 👈
Splain how Frankie and J Up are connected again?
I would like to see Ward return today and show no signs of injury to any part of his body as we need him and Trouty to lead the way. Rendon is playing his best in the last 2 weeks, how cool is that!
I have never lost faith in Lorenzen, and he proved more than capable to showing he is capable of being a starter with a chance to win every time out.
Hard to explain why our bats have collectively gone silent. Opposing teams do get up to play us because we have Trouty, Showtime and Tony 2 Bags, so there is that.
Always expect the unexpected was proven yesterday as Renny looked like Joe Morgan and Squid proved he belongs out there every day. Opposite field HR from squid, now that’s what I call entertainment along with being unexpected.
A real trend has started this year, Umpires are having huge strike zones and changing the way batters’ approach hitting situations which is leading to more strikeouts. But on the Angels, it just seems it is HR or bust, which is what the analytical guys says win ballgames. I would rather see any kind of hits rather than the whiffs. I try to keep everything positive, but the strikeouts are wearing on me. Trout, Ohtani and Marsh should look at the replay of all there at bats and learn what is coming next. If a guy up in the TV booth is right on 90% of the time, then the 3rd Base Coach should be too. Knowing what is coming is a big plus, just ask the Asstros.
A post game thread with 27 comments. Obviously we won. And the added silencer? A successful Rengifo outing. Awesome!
I applaud Renny’s success yesterday, very refreshing in that he is being given another opportunity to be a ML player. The Angels can sure use having him having big days. I will remain a skeptic and await results for a while longer though before I become a believer. I have no hate for Rengifo, but he has been a disappointment for years and now has a few days of being a player capable of having a career turn around, I’m just not convinced yet is all.
Ward is qualitied for MLB BA lead by one PA. Got to be back in the lineup today
Fifo and Squid…slump busters!!
First in first out? Nice.
Last hired…First fired!!
Can anyone explain all the Rengifo hate?
He is batting .300 (so better average and more pop than Wade or Duffy). He doesn’t seem bad with the glove (1 error – same as Wade, fewer than Duffy) or on the bases (one CS/PO, compared to Wade’s 3 CS).
Could we expect a better replacement for Fletcher?
(And yes, people are really hyping The Plumber, but he hasn’t hit nearly as well in Salt Lake (.909 OPS for Rengifo, .781 OPS for Stefanic, with Rengifo given the ‘harder’ assignment at SS to boot. Also, Rengifo is still younger – thus with more upside.)
Make it make sense.
He looks ugly with that with beard. That’s all i got.
I like the dude.
I mentioned yesterday that I had an “A ha” experience and realized why Cowboy26 hates Rengifo — it is because he is blocking The Plumber. Cowboy really wants to see Stefanic up here and therefore wants Rengifo gone.
I always liked the fact that Rengifo was patient at the plate and both willing and able to draw walks in key situations, like he did on Mother’s Day against the Nationals. In that game he was instrumental in our 9th inning comeback win. I would also like to see Stefanic at some point, but I do not have the hate for Luis that some others do.
Im not calling out any specific hater. I think we need to get away from this
I am not calling out anybody either. Just trying to offer some insight for those asking “why?”
Nor am I. I have only love in my heart.😍
But you have to admit its only taken that little bastard over 700 Major League plate appearances to learn the strike zone and not try to swing for the fences every time he walks up to the plate.
Personally, his beard is F’ing sweet if you ask me.
In 35 plate appearances in the big leagues this season, he has an OPS of .816. Albeit it is a small sample, he is 25 years old and why not give him the chance to become the everyday second baseman while Fletcher is out?
This is where I’m at. The bat looks quite good so far and don’t think Wade isn’t going to cut it as an everyday guy.
Best of Wade..
https://youtu.be/of57OMPLi6U
I hate beards
Only thing I agree with the MF Yankees about.
He has failed many times, at the Big-League level. He makes mistakes on the base paths, in making the correct decisions in the field, in hitting the ball with a bat he has shown he is over matched. During his minor league career, he kicks ass. So now he is coming on by having one great day? To short of an example for me so far. Let him have his newfound prowess for a while more before I jump on his band wagon, but I’m Ok with him being given a chance, but I am sure that you will feel the disappointment that will come with it.
He is young (25), and the past call ups were all emergency (you do remember the vast amount of injuries we have had, yes?). He showed great steps at the end of last season (after the mid-season stint in Salt Lake) and at 24, seemed to get it (which is still early – see Donaldson, Ward, etc).
I think he deserves a shot – and Fletcher’s injury seems the right time to test him out.
Yes, I agree he should have another opportunity as Duffy and Wade to a lesser extent have shown that they are not the long-term answer. But this also is an emergency situation is it not? And I’d say that this is from an injury also. And yes, some players get it later rather than earlier. (Ward and Walsh).
Renny (Rengifo) just makes to many mental errors. Such as trying to field a SS play and not realizing that even if he had gloved the ball, he could never have made the play. His throwing errors are not age related. So, fielding has not really improved. He has hit HRs before, and as a result he will then kept swinging for the fences. He has a hard time reading pitchers (Common team problem) for stealing bases. If he continues to show improvement then go with it. He has a brand new opportunity, let’s hope that for the team and himself that he comes through.
D-Cell #9
So….looks like a few of us were wrong about Lorenzen, eh?
The bad news, Upton just signed with the Mariners…. so get ready for him to have a 1.000+ OPS.
Only against us, though!
I sent out the bat signal to 2002……no response.
Shufflebot has been silent for 11 days. Monday he cometh.
Tuesday 🤘
But Walkoff Shufflebot can show up anytime during a homestand
I’d gladly pay you Tuesday for a Hamburger today
Yeehaw! (Is that how you spell that? …I’m from suburbia)
Yup, dat’s one way of spellin’ partner, Yee Haw!
One word? Two words? Hyphenated?
One word…no hyphen.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yeehaw