Canning was on the bump vs the O’s. It went as well as one could hope vs the AL East favorites. Not saying it was good, but it was much better than what Sandy was able to muster back on Thursday. He managed 5+ innings, giving up 3 runs (Technically 5 but whatever) on 7 hits, walking 1 and striking out 2.
The offense likewise did as best as they could expect vs one of the better young SP in baseball. Which is to say, “Hey at least we scored!” Yes, it was one of those days sadly with not much to cheer for where all victories are moral and all excitement tampered.
Highlighted Recap
Canning ran into trouble early, giving up a solo home run in the first.
Oh and an RBI double as well.
It became 3-0 with another RBI double in the 3rd.
But, the Angels got 1 back with a Taylor Ward home run in the 4th!
Canning was able to actually settle down and got through 5 with the deficit manageable. But after allowing the first 2 to reach in the 6th, he was pulled for Luis García. That was a bad move.
The 6th Inning that Did not Want to End
Baltimore piled on, scoring 6 before an out was even recorded. For just García. Sure, he almost got a double play that Neto botched, but that was after it was 7-1. Oh and he never recorded an out. That is the opposite of relief really.
So Wash brings in Guillermo Zuñiga. Surely that would work? Right? No. It did not. After what seemed to be an eternity later, 9 runs came across. What was a 3-1 game heading into the bottom of the 6th, was a 12-1 game in the top of the 7th. Game over. Except no, just inning over. the Angels still had to get 6 outs with their pitchers. Somehow. No mercy rule in MLB.
The Rest of the Game
José Cisnero pitched a clean 7th. It was still 12-1. That is something I guess. But the Angels did not score.
Adam Cimber gave up a sac fly in the 8th to make it 13-1 O’s. Ugh. Not that it really matters but ughhhh.
However, a 2nd for for the Angels were scored when, in the 9th, a Jo Adell triple followed by a Taylor Ward single meant it was now 13-2. COMEBACK TIME!
Nolan Schanuel extended his on base streak with an RBI single. Well, “Single” it really could have been an error.
Logan drove in another with a single. The comeback is gonna happen! I can feel it!
Yeah no, not really. Angels lose. Badly. Bleh.
Upcoming
There is a game tomorrow morning on Easter. Spend time with your family instead if you celebrate it. Or do something else if you don’t. If you still insist on watching Angels Baseball, well, it is your own fault.
I am all for Hicks and Sanó making the team. They just have to be used correctly. Hicks spells Ward or Adell vs. a tough righty and gives Trout a day to just DH once a week.
Sanò lets Schanuel sit vs. a tough lefty, and can get Rendon off his feet a day a week. Also, he can DH when we face middling lefties or righties.
What can’t happen is what Wash has done the first two days – sit Moniak and Adell to play two reclamation projects who are depth pieces at best. I hope Perry eventually takes these toys away from Wash if he doesn’t spread things out more reasonably. This year needs to be about seeing what Moniak and Adell bring to the table.
Trade Ward at the deadline, see if Neto, O’Hoppe, Schanuel, Detmers, can blossom into something worth building around. But running Hicks and Sanò out there 135 times this year is a mistake.
This certainly isn’t the biggest issue plaguing the team but… I don’t understand Wash’s rationale for not batting Schanuel lead-off (too slow) if he’s leading off with Rendon. Put the guy with the .400 OBP on top of your lineup FFS.
I really think Rendon batting leadoff is his last stand with the team. He’s healthy, he’s playing the field, he has the most ABs of any player. If he still can’t get going with all of those conditions present, he’s DFA by May.
I’m sure Washington wants a crack at getting Rendon turned around. May is likely soon but this year for sure,
Maybe Wash is feeding Rendon’s ego with the leadoff thing?
This theory is gaining legitimate traction in my mind.
My prediction that Rengifo would start at 3B today came true. Of course none of my other predictions proved true so there’s that.
Seriously boys, get a W today. By hook or crook.
Detmers will get er done
Mickey has been scratched due to illness. Adell is in.
LINEUP
— King Luis and Mickey are in
— Hicks is OUT (as is Sano)
— would still like to get Adell ABs
— DETMERS DAY
We will win this one, because it’s serious lineup (minus Rendone lol)
all Wash has to do is flip Rendone with King Luis in the order, and it’s the optimal lineup. Technically, Adell replacing Rendone at DH would make it the most optimal, but I digress.
Not sure what Hicks said about Trout but I have to believe it played a big part in why he is not in the lineup today ….
That was already found out to not actually happen between the two, publicly, at least.
Hmmm. Well, somebody reported it here last night. Though no quote was provided and no source was given. And it wasn’t stated whether it was simply “between the two” or if Hicks gave something to a journalist etc.
“Fake news,” then I guess. Lol.
Hicks striking out 6/7 times is why he’s not playing haha. Mickey and Jo can do that too!
Rendone has ALSO gone hitless and without a walk. He has reached base zero times thus far. As the leadoff man. You know, the guy on your team who is supposed to be the best at making contact and getting on base.
Yet he’s not only starting, but still leading off !!
Games don’t matter in March or April.
https://x.com/EricaLWeston/status/1774247346852757964?s=20
Drury’s OPS is quite something for a day like today.
This will definitely be of the most entertaining components on here this year, you yo-yoing between players.
That and seeing how many other teams games people go before they go (if at all) to an Angel one.
Please don’t read negatively into that. Not telling you or others how to post or what to do with your time. Honestly gives me a chuckle 🙂
I get it lol. All the hopeless positivity I spewed during the offseason is for naught.
We suck 😂
If the reason to slot rendon @ 1 is to give him more ABs because he hates his job, I’m all for it.
I am here for Tony too cool to care Rendone starting the season 0-100
If Rendon is still in the lineup, I’d make him play in the field. He is a better fielder than Rengifo.
Adell needs consistent ABs. Come on Wash. sit Rendon and let Jo in.
We certainly are not going to give up 12.5 runs a game for the entire season. Things will get better. 🙂
We certainly hope
50/50 chance you are correct
I want to say I will not watch today’s game if I see Hicks in the lineup for a 3rd straight day, but it won’t be true because it’s Detmers Day.
Rendone and Hicks need to get into a fight, gamble on baseball, or do anything to get suspended.
I think Rendon needs a family day today. It’s been a grueling schedule.
Yes, it’s been ugly. And depressing. But it’s two games on the road against one of the preseason favorites to win the AL. Everyone knew it the Angels could take one game, it would be an accomplishment.
Let’s see how the next few weeks look.
Rendone can sure play at leadoff, an old Ricky Henderson look alike.
Angels starters Rendon, Hicks and Neto all have the same batting average.
Time for Moniak and/or Adell to start, hicks is not impressing me right at this moment. The Angels just are not a contact team with 13 strikeouts. Change the names and change the lineup and this team still has an issue with not making contact. Nice to see Blowpen in midseason shape.
Yes, Moniak and Adell should be playing with Hicks as the 5th Outfielder/DH once in a while. Sano the same as a reserve. Maybe Bandon Belt should be a guy on the Angels radar. Should be able to get him pretty cheap.
We’re staring at last place this season, no matter what Gitcho and CB26 say.
This is the worst team since the Buck Rodgers team bus crash era.
Gentlemen’s bet. If we finish last behind the A’s I’ll never post here again. If the angels finish above the A’s you never post her again. Deal?
Two games in and it’s time for the inspirational get-together post game.
https://x.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1774226407968625002?s=20
Wow! After the 2nd game! That is a bit odd
Texas is still really good. The Astros will have their hands full.
having fun with punctuation. This, from O’Hoppe, with my making it funny
“So no one is hitting the panic button…….. just yet”
Saving the button for when we get swept by the Marlins.
……. after having beeing swept and absolutely demolished by the Orioles.
Indubitably.
They tried to hit it multiple times but missed badly.
😆
Liberty Biberty
On the bright side… Schanuel, 31 games and counting!
Angels had 10-hits, O’Hoppe, Ward and Drury 2-hits each. Not bad, bullpen was futile. Still a hole on the team.
Welp… I’d like to forget that game from my memory. Back in the hotel room…
At leas the Marlin’s are 0-3, so maybe the Angels will get their first win down there.
the As are 0-3 so we’re not in last
And so are the hated Asstros !
oh boy! We’re in 3rd!
You were a Sandoval backer along with CB26
The guy’s just truly awful right now, and we held on to him for too long. He ain’t worth a damm right now as trade bait. Bullpens still don’t matter!!! Especially if you’re down 12-1 after 7 innings
We were only down 12-1 because of the bullpen. Didn’t we go from 3-1 with Canning pitching, to 7-1 without getting a single out?
Yes, I was a Sandoval backer. The key word being “was.”
There is a movie that came out years ago, a great flick with Joe Mantegna.
It was called “Things Change.”
Lots of empty seats @ the ravine.
Wonder if the dodgers front office was ever obsessed with becoming Yankees West
Friedman got to fantasize about what he’d do with the Tampa analytics and the Yankees budget all those years in the east.
Now he gets to make his dream a reality.