Game 3 against Chicago and yet another excellent pitching matchup. Barria vs Giolito. The White Sox may be bad, but their rotation has some really good arms in it. This won’t be an easy win, especially if Ohtani has to carry the offense yet again.
For his part of the pitching duel, Jaime Barria went 3 innings, giving up 5 runs on 7 hits, striking out none and walking 3. Yeah, that is not ideal. With only 5 games last week and being the 6th man in the 5.5 man rotation, Barria hasn’t pitched in a while and it showed.
This meant that the hitters had to pick him up in what became a bullpen game. A bullpen game that was really, truly bad. Despite the challenge, the Angels did score, just not nearly enough to win.
“High”lighted Recap
Luis Robert continues to be a nuisance by hitting a 2 run shot to start the scoring.
The Angels’ superstars responded though with back to back triples, cutting the lead in half.
A Drury single ties the game.
Unfortunately, Barria did not have it today as he immediately gave a run right back.
And same thing next inning because why not?
And yet another run.
Well, Barria is out, but that’s fine, Wantz can keep it clos- and 3 more runs score.
Well, 6 runs is not impossible to come back from so it is no-and the White Sox scored again.
Meanwhile the Angels have been no hit since the Drury’s single in the first. They needed something as it was the bottom of the 5th and down by 7. Alas, best they could do was a Fletch single. Oh and Loup came in with Squid in CF. So, you know, giving up and all.
That is until the bottom of the 7th when Drury hit one out barely past 2 gloves.
And Renfroe hit one as well.
Still down 5, however. One of those came with 2 outs in the 8th, as Drury hit in Ohtani.
It was the only run from that inning, however. And then Davidson gave up 2 in the 9th.
Things got a tiny bit interesting in the 9th, with the bases loaded and 2 outs, Mickey Moniak pinch hit and flew out. Angels lose 11-5. Blown out.
Upcoming
Angels are now 44-38 and face the White Sox one last time tomorrow at 1pm. Day game shenanigans in early Summer expected.
At least it was essentially over early.
it was essentially a most essential loss, essentially.
Barria was terrible.
—- he’s been trending this way all month. His undefined role probably doesn’t help, nonetheless he was bad.
—- Nevin waited too long to pull him.
Wantz is not major league caliber. Back to SLC he goes.
Why is Tucker D still on this team? LOL
MOST IMPORTANTLY — Ward has done nothing to deserve batting leadoff. Drop him in the order and start scaling back his starts. Ward is the true 4th OF on this team.
Turn the page and take the series tomorrow.
I don’t see the trend for Barria.
5/31 5 IP, 1 ER against the Sox in a win.
6/8 5 IP, 2 ER v Cubs in a win
6/14 4.1 IP, 3 ER v Texas in a win
6/18 3 IP, 0 ER v KC in a win
Texas outing in Texas not good, but last time out was fine. Seems like bigger issue might be rust.
He’s just very mediocre and has held down a roster spot for too long on this team.
It’s a 6 man rotation. They can’t all be excellent.
Barria’s velo has been down and off-speed pitches have been flat in his last several starts. As we both mentioned it could be due to his lack of a consistent role.
Probably, regression to the mean as well after a blistering start.
A little mismanaged
Thats ok, it’s all part of the plan. Go Angels!
Good news: Didn’t use Devenski, Soriano, Estevez.
Turn the page and win tomorrow to take the series!