Caden Dana got his first taste of MLB adversity today. After looking like a future stud in his debut, he looked like a dud early today in Arlington.
On the day Dana would be charged with 5 runs on 7 hits in only one inning. 3 of those 7 hits went over the wall, making it a particularly ugly day for the rookie who should see brighter days as well.
Enter the newly acquired Ryan Zerferjahn, who is also fighting for a roster spot in 2025. The Z Man (we need a better nickname) threw up three zeroes to keep the deficit at 5-0 and give the Angels an opportunity to come back.
The come back started with a 3 run home run off the bat of Charles LeBlanc in the top of the 4th.
The score stayed that way until the top of the 7th, largely thanks to this great catch by Taylor Ward.
The Plumber hit into a fielder’s choice that scored Matt Thaiss in the top of the 7th, cutting the deficit to 5-4. Angels pitching had held the Rangers hitless since Dana departed and momentum seemed to be on their side.
Taylor Ward led off the top of the 8th with a double down the line and the Halos had men on the corners with only one out. Alas, trAdition dictated those runners not score and the team still trailed 5-4 after failing to capitalize on that opportunity.
Momentum swings in baseball are often both swift and brutal. That was the case today. After leaving Taylor Ward stranded at third in the top of the 8th as the tying run, the Angels promptly surrendered a pair of two out runs to push the game out of reach 7-4.
In the 162 game Spring Training view of things: Dana was bad, Zeferjahn was good. Neto had two hits. I can’t imagine anybody else on the field was a question mark for 2025 with Ward and Thaiss the only other players on the field who really fit into the plans for 2025.
So, we just may have the worst Angels team of all time, Gosh, I just love record breaking teams-don’t you…. 😍
I picked the wrong weekend to quit drinking…..
(I don’t drink, but I’m considering it)
19 games left. It’s almost over ❤️
We gotta win 9 games to tie 1968…not going to happen.
We have six against the White Sox
Yes further embarrassment awaits
CRIPES!!
So – 15-4 to attain our 15 Wash WAR wins?
😝
without Wash we’d be the Los Angeles White Sox of Anaheim 🤪
19 more games of Niko Kavadas! I’m always looking on the bright side. 🤪
Thought this was a Mia post
Not nearly enough cursing.
Been off the grid at Gold Mining Camp for eight days.
We went 4-3 in that time…fire the Tank Commander!!
Maybe the Angels needs to go to Gold Mining Camp
There were two of us Angel Fans and two A’s Fans…we commiserated together.
My good friend is an As fan…. Misery loves company for sure!
Gold mining camp? Hell yeah, that’s cool.
Not every offense is the Mariners offense, better a little roughing up early and keeping that pitch count low for overall wear and tear. Desperate for a silver lining here but there, have it.
I think they do need to look at film and focus on the release points and possible pitch tipping. Someone also mentioned that they might have been sitting on the only pitch he can consistently throw for strikes.
Silver lining: the bullpen gave up no earned runs over its eight innings, and had a no-hitter going until the bottom of the eighth. Final two Texas runs gifts from the doubleplusbad defense of Leblanc and Adams.
Zorro, Burke and Miller look intriguing for castoffs.
Washington had to be crying his eyes out when filling out the lineup card. The 3 through 9 slots were what you’d expect to see from the White Sox.
As for Dana – he needs to forget today and get ready for his next start.
Dana stud to dud. Perfect.
Ehhh. We are pretty burned on expectations and rightfully so. Kid was gonna get roughed up. Might as well be in games that don’t matter. Unfortunately we don’t have the luxury of giving up on him just yet (not saying that you are). Weaver hair will prevail!
Put another ball in the hopper. Angels sitting with a 5-game differential to either pick up some 1st pick percentages or dropping.
Oof. Week started out alright giving maybe a glimpse of future success. However Reality is a real thing. Neto with 2 hits is something I guess
Jeff – please post the score in the byline or whether they won/lost. I always come back to read everything you write. But sometimes you just want a quick check-in. Thanks
I get your point but … In the time you wrote that comment, you could’ve done this maybe 10 times….
What is this sorcery that you are posting?
T minus 19
I was thinking of going to the Saturday game instead of Friday. Wife convinced me to keep our tickets for Friday. That’s why she’s my better half.