Angels go to Washington and Lose 4-3

So… The reason why Washington the state is called Washington instead of Columbia is because of confusion with Washington DC. But then why was Washington allowed? Did they not call it Washington DC back then? Did they call it district of Columbia or something? It’s very confusing. We all call it DC now except in sports for some reason.

Most MLB players do not remember 9/11

Anyway, that may be why Mike Trout hit him home run today. He was in a really long home run drought and ended it today on 9/11. Just like last year. Huh.

Pitching wise it was Kikuchi today. He went 4 innings giving up 1 run on 3 hits striking out 5 and walking 4. He did not have his command today. Could be an arm thing as he had a different pitch mix up today and he threw a ton despite the few outs he got.

Hope he isn’t injured

Highlighted Recap

The Angels struck first in the 1st with a big fly from Mike Trout!

21st of the year

Nats tie it up in the 4th though after Kikuchi almost got out of it.

1-1

It wasn’t so much of a pitching duel as it was 2 offenses being offensive. The Angels made sense. But the Nats have one of the best lineups in Baseball. So what was with that? Well the Angels took the lead in the 7th as Moore drove in a run after 2 walks.

2-1 Angels

Really can add on here as long as no one does something stupid-

Bruh

The 2 blowiest of blowpens were up against each other now. Who would blow more? Angels blew first, loading the bases and allowing a sac fly in the 8th.

Tied game

Oh and then a 2 run double. Yeah. Blown it.

4-2 Nats

But hey, the Nats have the most blown saves in MLB history! Maybe one more?

Well, Moore crushed an rbi double to make it a 1 run game!

4-3 Nats

But that was not enough. Angels lose anyway.

Upcoming

15 games left. 2 more in DC and then back home for Mariners and Twins.

Subscribe
Notify of
32 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Texan44
Trusted Member
1 month ago

As to roster construction for next season, an interesting November 6th +/- date is coming up. As an example, the Angels 40 man today has 44 to include injured. So those injured have to be added back after the WS and those on expiring contracts basically drop off. (So Rendon, Moncado, etc will drop the Angels down to 25 or so to include those with arbitration available. Trout & Kukuchi are only 2 vets under contract)

Example only again, the Dodgers have 47 on the 40 man to include injured with at least 13 vets under contract for 2027 plus arbitration eligible players.

All teams need to add any Rule 5 eligible players to protect for next season. So I imagine there will be some fairly decent players that will be non-tendered that would be worth a look in November. None of those would be too expensive unless they are Arb 2-3 and already are being paid $7-10+ million.

Again, just an example, do you want a 1st baseman? Mountcastle with Orioles is a candidate for non-tender. Orioles have Alanso. For career he is WAR 7.7 98 HRs playing in Walltimore. But he is already making $7 million. With another arb year coming up. Maybe a cheap trade would work? This will be an interesting month to see what, if anything, is done for the roster next season.

Roy Hobbs
Super Member
1 month ago
Reply to  Texan44

Hard no on Mountcastle. He is much older. much more expensive, and not as productive as Schanuel has been the last 3 years. If we get a new 1B it would need to be someone who is going to provide a 120 or better wRC+ or OPS+. Schanuel is currently cheap and moderately productive.

Texan44
Trusted Member
1 month ago

Natera didn’t blow the game, in my opinion, the offense did. Game after game, I see poor managerial decisions or poor execution. Example, in the 7th. Walk, Walk, single. One run with runners on 1st and second – nobody out. Lowe decides not to bunt, Mo takes off for 3rd, tagged out. Lowe strikes out. Denzer grounds out. So we have runners on 1st and 2nd, nobody out, and we end up with only 1 runner on second and 3 outs. Moore’s double ties or wins the game.

Another is in the 4th. 1st batter – Trout HBP. Meckler could bunt, but he is batting 3rd and needs that elusive 2 run homer. So he hits into a double play.

Texan44
Trusted Member
1 month ago
Reply to  Texan44

I think my frustration is best stated with statistics. To me, any manager, from Taco Bell to the Angels bench, is to put your people where they can “succeed.” What are their talents or best traits.

So to address “swinging for the fences on every pitch.”

Babe Ruth – 10,628 plate appearances with 714 home runs = 14.88 PA/HR.
Hank Aaron – 13,941/755 = 18.46 PA/HR
Barry Bonds – 16.54 PA/HR
Current Players
Aaron Judge – 13.70
Kyle Schwarber – 15.68

Angels as a team – 2026 – 5503 PA 142 HRs = 38.75 PA/HR.

They are not home run hitters. Hit it up the middle, take to opposite field, shorten your swing, DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. Angels have 142 HRs and 1393 Ks. Almost 10 Ks per HR. Yes, a lot of it is lack of talent, but their batting approach is terrible in my opinion.

Angels2020Champs
Member
Legend
1 month ago
Reply to  Texan44

I get just as frustrated. Was extremely happy to see Trout launch one in person on a big family trip and an important day to me. We go to a lot of Angels games and I really want to see more of that small ball or anything different than the 25+ strikeouts for every HR hit (if we’re lucky!).

That was the one of the most sparely attended games I’ve ever been to. Listed 17,000 but there were fewer. Minimal 9/11 things. Nothing commemorative to buy. Supposed to be a fireworks show after the game, they changed the plans (happens, unannounced however). Not a must see park but it was still fun.

Here’s a pic of Trout rounding 2nd after his HR.

IMG_4865
DowningDude
Legend
1 month ago

Cool image, thanks for sharing! 😀

MikeSalmon
Super Member
1 month ago

15 games left. Gotta go 7-8 to end up 63-99, which ain’t gonna happen. If my math’s wrong it’s ‘cuz I just torched up. So I have an excuse.

Fansince1971
Legend
1 month ago
Reply to  MikeSalmon

It will be in Seattle’s hands and I cannot imagine they would not take joy in assisting in the Angels 100 losses. Also, Seattle is still in the race (barely) and will be motivated to win those games.

Last edited 1 month ago by Fansince1971
DowningDude
Legend
1 month ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

Could happen in Sacramento, too. We are that bad.

FungoAle
Legend
1 month ago
Reply to  DowningDude

No, bad is the 2024 White Sox. Finished the year at 41-121. That is almost a month worse than your beloved 2026 Angels.. after watching the Angels all year, you have to appreciate how excruciating the White Sox year must have been for the diehard fans.

DowningDude
Legend
1 month ago
Reply to  FungoAle

That was pretty repulsive.

DowningDude
Legend
1 month ago
Reply to  MikeSalmon

echo echo echo

comment image

BannedInLA
Legend
1 month ago

He only went 4 innings, but overall, he’s pitching well of late. His ERA is down to 4.75.

I still believe that ERA is a relevant data point for starting pitchers.

FungoAle
Legend
1 month ago
Reply to  BannedInLA

Agree, Kikuchi is doing better than I expected after a long layoff and remains a viable alternative for teams not wanting to sign FAs over the offseason

TrojanBoiler
Super Member
1 month ago

I still can’t believe Arte sold the team. Sometimes I just think about that and it makes me happy.

FungoAle
Legend
1 month ago

Natera blew the game for Fermin, come on team

DowningDude
Legend
1 month ago

Magic number to clinch one of the 3 highest probability slots in the draft lottery is 6 vs the Royals (combination of Royals wins/Angels losses) and 4 vs the Nationals.

FungoAle
Legend
1 month ago
Reply to  DowningDude

Well, happy we have a reason to scoreboard watch. It’s been a while, ya know?

Last edited 1 month ago by FungoAle
Eric_in_Portland
Legend
1 month ago

Also, pretty bad game by the Nats ballboy. It looked like he was really slow getting to out of play balls near home plate

DowningDude
Legend
1 month ago

We have to win 7 of 15 which is a blistering hot .466 winning percentage. We are presently at a 0.381 win %. 100 losses is almost guaranteed at this point.

Go out with a Bang, Arte! Good work!

DowningDude
Legend
1 month ago
Reply to  DowningDude

Damn. They’d have to rip off a 10 game losing streak to hit 100 at home. OK, I’ve been pretty shy about hitting 100 losses but I am officially on TEAM LOSE now. Wanna see history in person and don’t want to go to Sackto or Shattle to see it happen.

BannedInLA
Legend
1 month ago

Didn’t watch the game. Kikuchi only pitched 4 innings, why? Injured?

Of course I’m pleased that Trout snapped the power drought and that Moore had 2 hits & 2 rbi.

Last edited 1 month ago by BannedInLA
DowningDude
Legend
1 month ago
Reply to  BannedInLA

Wow! I missed the first inning – totally surprised by the Trout four-bagger! Way to go, Mikey!

FungoAle
Legend
1 month ago
Reply to  DowningDude

At his current September pace, you will have potential 2-more chances over the next 15 games. Don’t be late next time!

Roy Hobbs
Super Member
1 month ago
Reply to  BannedInLA

I think too many pitches 88.

Angelz4ever
Super Member
1 month ago

I turned it off when it went 2-2. We all knew what was coming.

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
1 month ago

as the season winds down I want to thank the staff for these amazing recaps. PDG is an intern, no? Great job there.

Thanks for tonight’s, JHW. Too bad it ended up the wrong way.

DowningDude
Legend
1 month ago

PDG is “Pretty Darn Good” in my book, too.

Charles Sutton
Editor
Super Member
1 month ago

Not an intern.

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
1 month ago

Oaklamento playing Seattle. Colorado lost. KC winning in the 9th. We’re getting closer to those good odds.

WallyChuckChili
Legend
1 month ago

That’s Las Oaklamento!

Texan44
Trusted Member
1 month ago

It has taken me almost 150 games to realize this team is really that bad or at least snake bit. The Angels truly can’t win for losing.

32
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x