So today we start the run of several series against relatively good teams; a series run that could make or break the season for the Angels.
In the first inning, the only scoring was this Willy Adames homer. 1-0 Milwaukee.
There was no scoring at all in the second inning, although Milwaukee loaded the bases. Anderson struck out Adames to get payback and also to end the inning. Neto got a one out single in the third to put somebody on for Taylor Ward and Mike Trout, who both then made outs. Tyler Anderson made quick work of the Brewers that inning.
Anthony Rendon got a one out single in the fourth inning to put a man on base for Renfroe. Just a single? What a scrub! Renfroe popped out softly anyway. No worries, though. Brandon Drury singled to send Rendon to third. Gio Urshela singled to drive in Anthony Rendon. Tie game. Who needs power?
I will call Chad Wallach “Almost” for the fly ball he hit to end the Angels half of the inning. He got robbed.
The Brewers threatened but did not score in their half of the fourth inning. Zach Neto came up in the top of the fifth inning. He singled on a grounder to center. Ward tried to bunt but popped up for an out. Mike Trout hit an easy fly ball out to right. Shohei Ohtani then hit a fly ball out to left to end the top of the fifth.
The Angels did nothing in the sixth or seventh innings. In fact, there was no further scoring until they bought in Aaron Loup in a tie game with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. If that gives you a feeling of existential dread well then:
Fortunately, Loup actually got out of the inning without allowing a run. In the eighth, Ward reached on a throwing error. Mike Trout was out on a fly ball. (DFA) Shohei Ohtani hit a ground ball single to center to advance Ward to third with only one out. The Angels failed to score.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Aaron Loup was still pitching. He gave William Contreras a lead off hit. He also gave Mike Brosseau a hit. There was an out in there by Luke Voit, but Rowdy Tellez singled to score William Contreras. 2-1 Brewers. Owen Miller grounded out to end the inning.
In the ninth, Drury grounded out, Urshela struck out, and “offensive substitution” Matt Thaiss grounded out to short. Game over man! Game over!
