After losing three mostly winnable games in Houston, the Angels headed into the rubber match hoping for a win before heading back home. The first 4 innings were pretty uneventful except for some great pitching by the Halos’ Griffin Canning and the Astros’ J.P. France. The Astros hurler did Canning one better by pitching 5 no-hit innings. Canning was the first to blink in the bottom of the 5th when Yainer Diaz hit a high fastball even higher over the left field Crawford Boxes to give the Astros a one-run lead.
After I spent a moment jinxing France by saying repeatedly “he has a no-hitter, he has a no-hitter”, Luis Rengifo brought it to fulfillment by launching a home run of his own over the right field wall to not only end the no-hitter but also tie the game in the 6th inning.
Canning’s day was over after 6 1-run, 4-hit innings. He would give way to Devenski who immediately gave up a double to Yainer Diaz. A grounder moved Diaz to third with one out. Maldonado tried to give his team the lead, sending a grounder down the third base line, but Gio Urshela made a great diving stop and throw across the diamond to keep the score tied.
Devenski continued his escape by striking out Dubon to end the inning. J.P. France’s day was over after 7 innings but the Angels got something cooking in the 8th inning when facing Phil Maton. Urshela led off the inning with a single, then switched places with Neto on a fielder’s choice. That brought up Mr. Ohtani. On a full count, Neto was on the move and Shohei did his job with a long RBI double, although he appeared to think he got more of it than he did. No problem, despite a Trout strikeout to end the rally, Angels take the lead 2-1.
Devenski and Carlos Estevez combined to send the Astros down in order in the bottom of the 8th and Astros pitcher Bryan Abreu also faced the minimum thanks to a double play in the top of the 9th.
Carlos Estevez came back out to try to continue his saves streak. All he allowed was a walk and a game ending double play. He is now 14 for 14 on save attempts. Angels win 2-1. The Halo is shining and welcoming the team back home!
Yay not swept!
Did anyone see that Little league play by the BoSox?
HILARIOUS!!
Just saw it. Yikes. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
An Angel win today meant those a-holes who predicted a Houston sweep can just STFU
Woo hoo
Mickey Moniak loses playing time, but Angels want him in majors
https://www.ocregister.com/2023/06/04/mickey-moniak-loses-playing-time-but-angels-want-him-in-majors/
Who knew. Eyeball test works
https://www.ocregister.com/2023/06/02/angels-pitchers-looking-to-put-hitters-away-better-after-getting-ahead-0-and-2/
No wonder why there was a problem, Houston … Forrest Gump was on that spaceship!
While I’m enjoying today’s win I’m also contemplating the Seattle disaster. Super stud hurler Bryce Miller, 2 1/3 innings 7 runs. Superstar young hitter Kelenic 0 for 4 with 3 ks, now free falling. Oh well. Their fans can always dreamily look back at them appearing in the ALCS a couple of times
Mariners are in trouble. Bryan Woo, a rookie call up from 2A to replace Marco Gonzales (who will probably get TJ surgery) got roughed up, though Andrew Heaney also struggled, Texas bats were too potent. Julio Rodriguez is in his sophomore slump. If they could not get a win when Luis Castillo pitched, no hope.
The one before last year when Mariners made the playoff was 2001, when Ichiro joined Mariners. As you might remember, they won MLB record tying 116 games that year. They probably should have won World Series if it weren’t for 9/11 attack in New York City. Mariners were essentially going against the whole nation cheering for MFYankees. I went to 16 of their games driving I-5 200+ miles each way with my then 9 year old son. We were die hard Seattle fans, and Seattle won all the games that we saw. It was good time.
Im sure we will be just what the doctor ordered for the slumping Mariners this weekend.
How many Cy Rookies are we facing?
At your service, sir,
Projected starters for Cubs and Mariners series:
Anderson vs Hendriks
Barria vs H. Wesneski
Detmers vs Taillon
Ohtani vs L. Castillo
Sandoval vs Woo
Canning vs B.Miller
Extensive analysis using my delusion of grandeur/estrasensory perception skills will be undertaken, and the results will be released on Tuesday.
USA Today predicted 4-2 Angels win today. I guess they thought that JP France and Canning would be 50% worse than what they actually did.
so 2 out of the 3 Mariners scheduled starters are Cy Rookies and the other pitcher we will face is one of the best pitchers in the league .
I cant wait.
Dear Diary: this 2023 team looks much better than the 2022 squad. I’d order playoff tickets now but I haven’t been outside Oregon in years and don’t expect to be in Anaheim in October.
I’ll sell you some. I also have a bridge in Brooklyn if you’re interested…..
JP France are lookalikes!!! 😂
Did you escape from the asylum?
dont get all neguhtiv
wee wun didnt weee?
escorted by Nurse Ratchet
I had to get with Harley Quinn because she’s waiting!!
💪
I like Jimmy Herget with fake mustache borrowed from Bobby V better.
Likely or not, here he comes.
https://twitter.com/RhettBollinger/status/1665400754398478342?s=20
😆
all it means is that his next visit to IR is getting closer….
Phil Nevin and former VP Mike Pence
lookalikes!
If you were blind and saw them in a dark alley
Didn’t specify which Tuesday or Wednesday.
https://twitter.com/SamBlum3/status/1665460574115749888?s=20
I just looked ahead and saw Shohei as projected starter on Friday against Mariners. Nothing surprising there. Here is a rant of the week, so I don’t have to do it later.
It is on Apple TV+ exclusively.
Even though I live in an area that basic cable tv service includes Root Sports, which broadcast Mariners games, I will not be able to watch it. I am such a miserable Shohei apologist, so I may be tempted to sign up for free trial as Friday approaches. Apple TV also announced few days ago that Angels vs Blue Jays on July 28 was selected for their broadcast. Not that I prefer Communism, but corporate capitalism sucks in this case.
Done ranting. You will not hear any more about this. Except perhaps slight mock about City of Cupertino.
” You know what? I’m happy”
so am I
BTW it happened with Phil the Titan and Matty V.
Free Fletch!
https://twitter.com/slbeesradio/status/1665459310137335810?s=20
June 4, the day the season turned around. 🙂
Turned around and showed us it’s ass more like
Not even happy after a win?
We went 1-3 against a division rival. Sure it’s better than 0-4 but maybe a bit premature and exaggerating to say it’s playoff time. I’m never excited to lose 3 of 4 particularly to a division rival.
We avoided 4 game sweep, falling below 0.500 and Bobby V on Tuesday. I would say these are 3 big reasons (not necessarily in that order) to feel happy through June 6. 😃
Lost 3 of 4 to a division rival. It’s lipstick on a pig. Whipped cream on a shit sundae.
But yes better than being swept I guess.
better weekend in Texas than the Moaners had
Texas is a legit contender. I won’t be surprised if they surpass Tampa Bay for #1 seed in AL. We need MFYankees, Blue Jays, Red Sux, and Mariners to continue to falter. We are not catching Texas this season. Mets did not do their job against Toronto this weekend.
They’ve spent enough over the past two years
you would hope so. The Padres time is up as their small market but big market size payroll was unsustainable.
Corey Seager: $325MM x 10y
Marcus Sieman: $175MM x 7y
Nathan Eovaldi: $34MM-$63MM x 2-3y with incentives.
Andrew Heaney: $25MM x 2y
Last year Texas was target for general sneers, but this year not so much.
Dont werry GPD will probably be in Chicago soon
Ahh, the Laker defense! Excuse suckage with “Better than some other team…”
Hostility abounds!
(Old HH méme)
Haha!!
…a date which will live in infamy.
June 6th the day the season was over.
Well, it wasn’t over when Germany bombed Pearl Harbor, so…
Well thats According to the Senator.
This must be code for something?
On June 6th, the D-Day anniversary?
You are saying Tuck-Friendly D will end the season with a horrible pitching performance?
I flunked World History in high school, so I have no idea what you guys are talking about.
Optimism abounds!
NEVER A DOUBT – PLAYOFF BOUND
that’s what I’ve been sayin’!
Well done!
Live to see another day!
Even if it’s in the ICU. With a feeding tube and on oxygen.
Just laying there…..looking forward to our daily sponge bath with Nurse Ratched.
Griffin Canning is the clear #2 on this team.
Last 3 starts
19 IP
4 ER
18 K
4 BB
94-97 with electric secondary pitches.
Canning has finally arrived!
Last 3 starts he’s our #1!
If we go by recency bias
1a. Canning
1b. Barria
3. Ohtani
6a. Sandoval
6b. Detmers
6z. Anderson (he’s just so bad lol)
The bones of a good rotation are there.
Shohei is scuffling, but he’s going to figure it out. Canning & Barria are solid, the real problem is that Sandoval & Detmers are performing below expectations and none of them can be counted on to go at least 7 innings.
The BP has been more reliable than the SP, frankly.
Detmers is the most frustrating for me. One game he pitches like a 12K, 0 earned runs gem, next game, he tosses a total stinker. The 3rd-time-through-the-order OPS is a real issue. He doesn’t need to be a K machine, I can live with him being a Canning-like lefty – pitches to weak contact and letting the defense work for you. Don’t need to be flashy, just need to be effective
As long as someone else calls his pitches.
I wonder if we’re missing O’Hoppe calling games more than his bat.
Speaking of canning, I’m a sardine fan. Who is with me?!
Count me in…anchovies, too. I suspect we are in the vast minority.
I’m considering doing a sardine and beer spread every time Canning pitches
The naturally occurring Spam of the sea..sardines.
At least sardines contain omega-3 fatty acids, and so do anchovies. I am probably more fan of sardine Sashimi with Shiso infused soy sauce.
If you ever visit Maui, try Spam Musubi. They are to die for.
Spam.
Sliced thinly and cooked in a little olive oil & paired with steamed rice & eggs.
Dude theres a alot of #2 on this team.
🚽 💩 🚽 💩 🚽 💩 🚽 💩 🚽 💩 🚽 💩 🚽 💩 🚽 💩
For this week
Nevin survives. Bobby V seen with disappointment altering his already prepared introductory speech to reflect minor changes.
was interested to see how he would shed his sports betting business as it should be a conflict for anyone managing a sports team.
It could still happen. As one says, there is still a lot of baseball games to be played. Personally I hope it never happens.
Can’t tell if serious or not, but there is NFW Nevin gets replaced by Bob Valentine. The dude is batshit crazy.
You are absolutely correct in that Bobby V is a section 8 worthy, sleazy conniving sh’t head. As many of us spent good 6 hours discussing this subject last night, the general consensus was he is our next Prince Charming/Savior for Angels if Nevin is canned because of Bobby V’s intimate relationship with Perry’s father. There is a good read regarding this matter at the internet site of the certain east coast cable company whose name I have vowed never to utter at this site.
LTBU
— Canning continues to impress.
— Rengifo saved us from the no-no with that HR.
— Ohtani with another big hit
— Urshela with the defensive play of the series
— Devo and Charlie Sheen locker it down again
Great game! Definitely coulda split, but is what it is now.
Get Rendon back for the homestand. Sweep the Cubs.
What show is this from? Oh yeah
Curb Your Enthusiasm
FTX?
Two negatives for Nevin today
1.Moniak for Trout to start.
2.Should have replaced Rengifo in 8th inning.
One negative for Baker today
1.Maton should have walked Shohei to face Trout.
I’d walk MATHIS to face Trout right now
He’s hitting .264
There’s something wrong with him.
I wonder how often MLB players get their eyes checked. He is about the age when I started having farsightedness. A visit to a local optometrist may be in order.
According to BBref, last 28 days: 223/318/404. Injured or another victim of falling off the cliff at 32 (not quite 32), tho on a pace for 5 war.
Last year, 5 WAR earned you top-10 MVP finish.
Trout is in a slump, but this performance, even if only a 5 WAR season, is not falling off a cliff in anyone’s world. Perhaps this year he is coming down to earth a bit?
I’d walk Trout to face Trout….somehow, it would turn into 2 K’s.
Nice win.
I predicted 1-3 for this series and 2-1 for the next 2. If I’m right the team will be 3 above .500 going into mid June which would not be awful.
I just found out that Marcus Stroman is scheduled to pitch tonight. Hallelujah!
LTBU!