The Angels enter August with a totally different team than the one that entered July. New hitters, new pitchers, and in the middle of a huge opportunity to gain games in the playoff races. Just as the deadline came and went, Perry made one last move, getting yet another reliever for the middle of the bullpen as Bachman was moved to the 60 day IL.
Patrick Sandoval was not going to have an easy time, as the Braves was the best offense in the NL AND they had their ace on the mound so he would have to be practically perfect. He wasn’t, going 5 innings, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits, striking out 3 and walking 4.
And the ace of the Braves showed that he was indeed an ace, keeping the Angels to only 1 run in 6 and 2/3 innings, meaning the Angels were losing heading into the last third of the game. Maybe, if the bullpen was able to shut down this offense again they could have a chance.
Yet that was not the case as Webb shit the bed, giving up 3 runs in the 7th and let the game get away. It was an expected loss, sure, but one that stung bad due to how close it was until it was not.
Highlighted Recap
The Braves scored first in the 1st on a sac fly.
Neto did tie it up in the 5th, however with an RBI groundout.
Alas, Sandy gave that run right back by allowing Harris II to be the first lefty to hit a home run off of him since August 2021.
The Angels had their chances but couldn’t score in the 6th and 7th. But the Braves could, hitting a home run off of Webb in his 2nd inning.
And another.
It was rather unfortunate as that was the last scoring of the game, with former Angel Raisel shutting the door. Maybe a salary dump wasn’t the smartest idea, ARTE.
Upcoming
Morning game tomorrow at 9:20 AM. After that the Angels will head home to face the Mariners for 4 games as we enter the final 2 months of the season. At least Toronto lost.
