Just in case you forgot, the Angels bullpen still kind of sucks. Or at least that is what the Bullpen of Doom seemed hellbent on reminding us all of in last night’s gag job loss to the Cleveland Indians.
Oh no! We suck again!
Justin Speier, Darren Oliver and Kevin Jepsen all took turns getting themselves into trouble only to find a way to miraculously wriggle out the jam unscathed. With those bullets dodged it seemed the Angels had gotten into the clear with closer extraordinaire Brian Fuentes entering the game in the ninth. After having Rory Markas and Mark Gubicza work themselves into a lather trying to outdo each other in proclaiming how great the Fuentes without realizing just how badly they were jinxing him, Fuentes immediately proceeded to implode in spectacular fashion allowing a three-run homer followed by a solo shot without ever getting a lead. Bravo, gentlemen.
Of course, the whole loss could have possibly been avoided if Reggie Willits was familiar with the concept of the outfield wall. I’m not saying that Little Reggie definitely could have robbed Victor Martinez’s home run, but had he elected to climb the left field wall rather than crash into it, he would have at least had a chance to make the play.
Good News:
- If anyone is wondering why the Angels are so reluctant to trade Erick Aybar for Roy Halladay, just re-watch last night’s game. Aybar made a number of clutch defensive plays to bail out the Halos, plays that Maicer Izturis could not have made. Too much of the Angels’ success is predicated on their defensive prowess and Aybar is one of the keystones of that defense, so letting him get away could be a big mistake.
- I have to admit, I thought it would take some time for Juan Rivera to recover his timing after missing over a week. I sure am glad to be wrong.
- There has been plenty of speculation this year that Kendry Morales is playing way over his head based on his minor league numbers, especially in the power department. I think his first homer last night should dispell that line of thinking. K-Mo absolutely stepped all over that pitch and it isn’t the first time he has hit a mammoth long ball either. His power is definitely for real, sometimes it just takes a guy some time to harness it.
Bad News:
- Don’t count on the Angels running all over the Indians tomorrow after the debacle of umpiring last night. I’m sorry to not be a homer here, but the Angels sure looked to be out on all three attempts when looking at the replay. I can’t imagine the umpiring crew will let that happen again.
- Mike Scioscia clearly is losing his patience with Joe Saunders. For the manager to come out and talk to a pitcher in the middle of an inning instead of the pitching coach certainly suggests that he had more to say than a few mechanical adjustments. And then for Saunders to get even more lectures in the dugout from Mike Butcher and Mike Napoli only serves to underscore just how hopeless his situation has gotten.
Halo Ant-Hero:
- Brian Fuentes
Clearly Fuentes is the main culprit in last night’s loss with his disastrous save chance. Though he did get lit up like a Christmas tree, I’m not going to get too worked up over one bad outing. Fuentes has been the rock of an otherwise shoddy relief corps this year and will surely bounce back next time out (he said, crossing his fingers hopefully).