Early Promise, Late Collapse | Postgame

Game 2 of the Angels-Braves series started off promising for the Halos. L.A. jumped ahead early with a two-run single from Jo Adell in the first inning, giving fans a glimpse of life. Nolan Schanuel and Taylor Ward both crossed the plate as the Angels looked locked in against Darius Fuentes.

Yusei Kikuchi kept the Braves quiet through the first five frames, stranding runners and dodging some loud contact. The Angels lineup kept finding grass in the third inning with three straight singles, but couldn’t cash in.

Then the sixth inning hit, and it hit hard. The Braves exploded for seven runs, sparked by a three run blast from Matt Olson and another three run shot from Sean Murphy. Suddenly, it went from a 2–0 Angels lead to a 7–2 hole in the blink of an eye.

It’s now the bottom of the 7th, and the Angels haven’t mounted a response. The bats have gone cold since the third, and the bullpen couldn’t contain Atlanta’s big bats. There’s still time, but the momentum has fully shifted. Can’t see the Angels coming back.

Overall, the Angels came out swinging early again, but this time it didn’t last. After putting up two quick runs in the first, the bats fell silent and the bullpen unraveled. Atlanta dropped a six-spot in the sixth—powered by two three-run homers—and never looked back, coasting to an 8–3 win to even the series.

It wasn’t for lack of chances. The Halos had traffic on the bases through the middle innings but couldn’t come through in the clutch. Meanwhile, the Braves did what the Braves do: punish mistakes and make them hurt. 3-8 Braves.

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gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

Well, Atlanta’s brilliant plan to switch pitchers up to make us think they were trying to win the first and most important game, but then actually switch what they want and beat us in game two, was Napoleon level brilliant. If we were a real org we would do shit like this. Fire Wash and all the coaches.

Twebur
Legend
6 hours ago

WTF? This sure is decisive. Hope more didn’t lose his thumb

Taylor Blake Ward

Chad Stevens, who has a .920 OPS with AAA Salt Lake and has played whole infield and corner outfield this year, was pulled from tonight’s game in Salt Lake in the second inning, he has been seen on broadcast receiving hugs from teammates, you can probably read between the lines

https://x.com/TaylorBlakeWard/status/1940606772609483136

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Twebur

Well, we aren’t rushing Moore now……

Roy Hobbs
Super Member
7 hours ago

No manager is going to look like a genius with this roster. Just too many holes.

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  Roy Hobbs

Zeferjahn faced six batters in the sixth inning and did not record an out. He gave up two home runs, two singles and two walks. His ERA climbed from 4.78 to 6.19.

Pineapple12
Legend
6 hours ago
Reply to  Roy Hobbs

Murphy was 0-2 with 2 Ks against Kikuchi, and 1-12 in their lifetime matchup.

The move to the bullpen was moronic. For being an analytics guy, Montgomery didn’t follow the numbers.

Trust your ace to get a guy he’s historically dominated out. Then go Fermin – Detmers – Jansen. Wasn’t rocket science.

Last edited 6 hours ago by Pineapple12
TrojanBoiler
Super Member
6 hours ago
Reply to  Pineapple12

Jeez didn’t realize those career numbers. Wtf.

RexFregosi
Super Member
7 hours ago

This team isn’t moving up from here in 2025 unless Mike starts to be like Mike.

everyone knows this about baseball, every season
the last 77 games matter more than the first 85 games

SD19
Trusted Member
6 hours ago
Reply to  RexFregosi

And that’s the pisser of it all. We are all dying for Mike to break out. You know he’s dying to do it. It just ain’t happening. Maybe it’s still possible but it don’t look great. I agree the team rides or dies with him and Not because of the money cause that’s already spent

Twebur
Legend
6 hours ago
Reply to  RexFregosi

Honestly, he’s not even a must watch AB’s anymore IMO. Hit him in the 5 hole again, see if it works, why not. Walks are great, but probably time to find a little more aggressive AB.

Last edited 6 hours ago by Twebur
gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Twebur

He reminds me of me when I’d end up hitting against some really good MLB prospect pitcher…. just act like he walked you everytime and hope for the best….

SD19
Trusted Member
7 hours ago

Well shit. What to make of things. They are way over achieving all expectations yet are still a constant disappointment. Quite the predicament on what to think.. I’m choosing to stay positive and think another big win streak is coming and getting their fat asses over that giant .500 brick wall.

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend

Kikuchi pitched good enough to win.

The bullpen was brutal. The magic has worn off Zepher and Strickland.

I was listening to the game on Sirius, and it was using the Atlanta announcers. They were making jokes about Neto’s excessive use of eye black….

Roy Hobbs
Super Member
7 hours ago

I like Zach but he looks silly unless he can back it up and that’s not the case lately. He’s a tremendous player but his lack of discipline at the plate keeps him from being a star.

Pineapple12
Legend
7 hours ago

Burn the page and Montgomery’s contract.

Win tomorrow plz

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  Pineapple12

The post about the bullpen clearly jinxed the team 😁

Pineapple12
Legend
7 hours ago

haha! I’ll take responsibility for the loss because Montgomery sure won’t.

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