The Angels paid Tyler Anderson $39 million to hopefully be a solid piece of the rotation. Tyler is the latest in a seemingly endless string of free agents tasked with giving quality innings; most of whom failed miserably.
George Kirby was on the board in 2019 when the Angels selected Wil Wilson in the first round of the draft. The younger, cost controlled Kirby outpitched Anderson tonight just like he has all year.
Anderson has been about 10% worse than league average while Kirby has been 19% better. Tonight he went 7 innings giving up only one run. That run was a bomb by former/new Halo Randall Grichuk.
Manager Phil Nevin entered today with a heavily taxed bullpen thanks to three consecutive Angels starters failing to pitch more than four innings. But that didn’t stop him from pulling a pretty effective Tyler Anderson after 5 innings and only 80 pitches tonight. He did allow 2 runs on 2 hits.
The score was 2-1 Seattle when newcomer Domic Leone had his second big night at the Big A, blanking Seattle over two innings. Jose Soriano came in for the 8th and put the Angels down 3-1.
Brandon Drury looked to have tied the game with a two out hit to deep left field. With two runners on base and Squid the runner at first, two runs would have easily scored had the ball stayed in play. It jumped over the wall into the dugout for a ground rule double. That made the game 3-2 with runners on second and third.
After the Mariners walked Mickey Moniak, Hunter Renfroe stepped to the plate with the bases loaded. Mr. Unclutch did his thing and left the runners on base with one of his patented K’s.
Yet another brutal loss for the Angels who have lost 5 in a row and their winning record.