September 15, 2005

The Angels had just lost four in row, including a three game sweep at the hands of the Mariners.  In that sweep, TWICE the Halos were held to just one run - once each by Joel Pineiro and Ryan Franklin.

To make matters worse, the Angels had just lost to the lowly Tigers, their fourth loss in a row.  The Tigers had chased soon-to-be Cy Young Award winner Bartolo Colon with eight runs in only five innings - our best pitcher couldn't stop this losing streak!  Things looked awfully bleak.

On the other hand, division rival Oakland was on the last leg of a road trip, winning the first of a four game series at Boston.  They were tied with the Angels for first place - and in the drivers seat as the season's last two weeks approached.  After Oakland left Boston, ten of their last thirteen games were at home.  Only four games were left with the Angels, but they were ALL in Oakland.  The stars were aligned for an A's divisional crown, except...

They had to play the games.  Oakland proceeded to lose nine of their next fourteen games, while the Angels went 12-2 during the same span, including three wins against Oakland.  Within TWO SHORT WEEKS, the division went from a tie to a SEVEN GAME LEAD...literally in a blink of an eye (much like the Yankees did earlier this year to the Red Sox).

Seven games in two weeks would put the Angels ahead by two by the end of the season.  It IS possible.  CAN history repeat itself?  Honestly, probably not.  But just remember how we felt at this time last year...