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Angels Lose Close One - Chowds are Right Where We Want Them

Picpic_tiny by Rev Halofan on in Postgame Threads

Blame of the Game: Howie Kendrick

The Angels have been to the ALDS 4 times prior to this season.

They have lost the first game of each ALDS as they did tonight. They have come back to win 2 of these 4 division series.

Despite Vlad's baserunning gaffe, understand that Howie Kendrick grounded out into what would have been a double play anyway right after that. Kendrick also grounded out with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 1st inning. We lost this game because of Howie Kendrick, plain and simple.

In the 4th, Kendrick left a man in scoring position. He struck out to lead off the 6th. And he grounded out in that fateful 8th inning.

John Lackey was great. Garret Anderson had the audacity of hope. Darren Oliver was great. Torii Hunter was great. Teixeira was okay. Scot Shields was terrible. Vlad was October Vlad but will suffer the biggest criticisms while it was Howie Kendrick choking that cost us this game.

The Angels have dug themselves a hole, so we will now see if they are as resilient and competent as the 2002 Halo squad.

PREGAME Thread - GAME Thread - Game THREAD #2 - Game THREAD #3

Roll Call: Downing Rules, Higz, TheTypingFiend, autry's cowboys, adirondackangelfan, teopeht, RubixsQube, gary matthews jr. jr., SFV88, wallispdub1, swiss mcgee, UCIHalo, infant, scottnak, wildwill, WiHaloFan, cupie, NoDakHalo, Mayheminthehood, highlandhalo, kingfish, Quinlan's Goofy Swing, Jangel7, BeerMadeMeFat, blues911, mattwelch, MH252525, Dono Romantico, ANewFoundThrice, Big Easy Halofan, LittleCupcakes, JAP, vlad IS my man, Chone's Chonies, Andyman, tanana40, ladybug, Stirrups, b0rd3rline, Rev Halofan, clover_black, Maggots8, Red, acuda27, 44FAN, deer, yeswecan, halofolife, deejayelleseven, sothball, Grichfan, Los Angeles de Anaheim, angels_rally_mom, snowhor, TheOptimist, Brew Angel, eyespy, ZiK, kdoc, rjcicc, BoulderBrian, Captain Awesome, Zu Long, VladdyG, angelsown3417, atung, sipperphoto, princeton11loveshalos, lightupthehalo, Caseys Kiss of Death, shiftyeyedgoat, sparkplug, leftwing, Clutch, howiestheman, Carl Johnson, AnaheimHalos61, Neo8234, jimmuscomp, tmat, Jay Cal, HaloPride, oasisman, HaloMachismo, LA Seitz, chairmanofthebar, mjhsieh, davidbrad65, PhiSlamma, Angel Aviator, AlohaHalofan, stolenbases
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no, we lost this game because motherf**^#ing Matthews BLOWS

he gets that out, the game takes on an ENTIRELY different feel.

and his 0-3 didn’t help anything

Kotch would've had that.

by howiestheman on Oct 1, 2008 10:23 PM PDT   0 recs

just quit the GMJ bashing

seriously, we have other problems, the least of which is gary

by Los Angeles de Anaheim on Oct 1, 2008 10:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

no

he flat out sucks. period.
we can bash Howie for sucking (which he did) but we cant bash the guy who BLEW the effing game?

screw that.

Kotch would've had that.

by howiestheman on Oct 1, 2008 10:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

get over yourself... this loss hurts

but that doesn’t excuse crappy analysis

by Los Angeles de Anaheim on Oct 1, 2008 10:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

analysis?

Lackey was great, save for one mistake – Bay’s homer.
Figgins was horrible in the leadoff tonight – 0-5 with 3 Ks.
Howie was terrible in the 8 hole – 0-4 with 6 LOB.
Shields was great to start, then fell apart and let 2 more runs score. His fastball flattened out, and the Red Sox were sitting on it.
Vlad made a SERIOUSLY bonehead baserunning error.

Bottom line – our offense choked, save for 2 hits EACH but our 2-5 guys (which was nice to see for a change).

Kotch would've had that.

by howiestheman on Oct 1, 2008 10:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

So after people get in your face, you can be observant

but other than that, your first reaction is to repeat the same, tired gripes about GMJ that you’ve used all season… no thanks!

by Los Angeles de Anaheim on Oct 1, 2008 10:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

gimme a break

like i’m the only one mad at the guy tonight?

i can be observant whenever i want to… forgive me for responding in the heat of the moment. i’m a fan.. it happens with all of us.

Kotch would've had that.

by howiestheman on Oct 1, 2008 10:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm with you dude

Matthews frkn’ stinks. I was VERY upset when he made that error. A lot of people were shouting nasty things to him so you’re not alone.

Hey you! What are horse mackerel!
Hey, the chair are sailing! You believe that I am toad of the month!
(Yes, that is K-Rod's entry music, translated)

by infant on Oct 1, 2008 10:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

all you do is bash bash bash

it is the same old fucking boring tune – we get it, really, now sing another song or shut the fuck up or go talk to a drunk at the bar who will punch you in your nonsensical mouth.

by Rev Halofan on Oct 1, 2008 10:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Dude calm down on howiestheman

You bash bash bash against a lot of things as well. He’s just upset with GMJ, rightfully so. I’m upset with Figgy, you’re upset with Kendrick.

Bottomline: They all sucked terribly tonight and should do a much better job next time.

Hey you! What are horse mackerel!
Hey, the chair are sailing! You believe that I am toad of the month!
(Yes, that is K-Rod's entry music, translated)

by infant on Oct 1, 2008 10:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Based on what?

They can’t be worse?

Willie Mays Aikens is FREeeeeeeee

by Angel Aviator on Oct 1, 2008 10:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Based on nothing

They SHOULD as in: I really think they should because I really want them to.

Hey you! What are horse mackerel!
Hey, the chair are sailing! You believe that I am toad of the month!
(Yes, that is K-Rod's entry music, translated)

by infant on Oct 1, 2008 10:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Also because they're paid to play better.

If GA wasn't so Lazy, I'd have something clever here.

by TheTypingFiend on Oct 1, 2008 10:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

And finally:

Because we know they can.

Hey you! What are horse mackerel!
Hey, the chair are sailing! You believe that I am toad of the month!
(Yes, that is K-Rod's entry music, translated)

by infant on Oct 1, 2008 10:37 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Sure.

They did it three times 22 years ago. Beat them 8 times in the regular season this year. It’s not impossible.

Besides, wasn’t one of your rules “don’t be a quitter, never give up?”

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Oct 1, 2008 10:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hey, its 1am. What are you doing still up?

I was uncool before uncool was cool.

by WiHaloFan on Oct 1, 2008 11:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Trying to stir up the faith.

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Oct 1, 2008 11:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Keep up the good work.

The Angels may have beat them 8 times in a row, but winning three before they do is all that matters.

by hauldog on Oct 2, 2008 9:42 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Who said anything about giving up?

Did they win that series 22 years ago? I know you talked about how the Angels would not struggle against the Red Sox and how they handled Lester and I said that would not be the case and the team would be tested when they saw him again.

How did all those stats work out today Zu? Lester against Angles Angels record against Red Sox etc…

Willie Mays Aikens is FREeeeeeeee

by Angel Aviator on Oct 1, 2008 11:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

About the same as the win totals.

100 to 95 right?

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Oct 1, 2008 11:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Also: You seem to be suggesting we can't win against them.

What do you call it? “Accepting defeat?”

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Oct 1, 2008 11:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Your "ass"uming I am a fair weather Angel fan

problem is I am also able to see that there is issues. GMJ starting? Come on be serious!
Howie 15 AB’s in September has him playoff ready? Be real! Willits., Wood, Mathis bench players with Rivera, Morales, and Q. Super one real veteran that has more then 4 years of Big league service but he isn’t 100%. I could go on and on but you wouldn’t get it because it isn’t stats its about personal and the dynamics of team.

Your inability to separate my previous post from a coach of a team and a fan / observer is comical. Then again you never played so not surprised.

Willie Mays Aikens is FREeeeeeeee

by Angel Aviator on Oct 1, 2008 11:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I played little league, and guess what?

I actually internalized all those life lessons they told me. The ones about don’t quit, etc. I hope they meant them more than you seemed to.

I’m not assuming you’re a fairweather fan, I’m assuming you have Chicken Little syndrome, just like you did when you were freaking out about us not getting home field. There’s a difference.

And yeah, we have issues. Last I checked, the BoSox do too (Lowell, Drew, Beckett, their shortstops collectively suck, etc.). We beat them 8 times in the regular season, during most of which they had Manny. We can beat them now.

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Oct 1, 2008 11:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

So off base

Yeah good for you and the little league makes you a pro evaluator on the game. I am sure you have been involved in big games as a little leaguer or a coach/manager.

If realizing that the Angels need every advantage they can get (HFA) qualifies me as chicken little in your book…….I don’t give a ratsazz. It’s a fact. No conjunctivitis here but you may have a bad case of it

Red Sox issues have not kept them from victory and I think thats because they run out some vets and have many that have done this sort of thing before. Addition by subtraction when they dumped ManRam.

Willie Mays Aikens is FREeeeeeeee

by Angel Aviator on Oct 1, 2008 11:53 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Howie Playoff ready

The Sux started Drew and Lowell who have had even fewer at bats.

The Angels may have beat them 8 times in a row, but winning three before they do is all that matters.

by hauldog on Oct 2, 2008 9:43 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Are you suggesting the Sox have some magic formula...

to beat the Angels in the playoffs that they didn’t use during the regular season?

I usually agree with you 99.9% of the time and value your opinions, but why CAN’T the Angels win against Boston in October?

I was uncool before uncool was cool.

by WiHaloFan on Oct 1, 2008 11:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

we cant take an easy excuse

like boston and chicago and just say we’re “cursed”

but seriously eff those guys

by linkbruin on Oct 2, 2008 12:30 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

once again

excuse me for being upset and in the moment.
looking back at the amazing amount of F-Bombs in the threads leads me to believe I’m not the only one.

I’ll to my best to watch what i contribute from now on.

Kotch would've had that.

by howiestheman on Oct 1, 2008 10:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree with your Napoli analysis below

but to just lash out a tirade against the same guy you have always bashed when your man was so down just struck me as cowardice.

by Rev Halofan on Oct 1, 2008 10:52 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

i hear ya

like i said, i’ll keep the GMJ-bashing under the hat (the best i can, anyway).

Kotch would've had that.

by howiestheman on Oct 1, 2008 10:54 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

and i totally agreed that Howie choked tonight as well

but he’s not making $10MM/yr for his defense and lefty splits, which just added to my anger.

Kotch would've had that.

by howiestheman on Oct 1, 2008 10:55 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don’t really see anything wrong with what howiestheman is doing. hella frustrating game and the bigger the fan you are the more angrier you get. understand benching matthews may mean that we still lose the game. but venting makes you feel better, this loss was tough.

my personal opinion: i definetely think rivera should have started over GmJ. his defense is not that superb (cue the error he made) and having riveras power in the line up could bring a boost to our team. look what happened when jason bay hit his bomb. TOTAL MOMENTUM changer

by stezo on Oct 1, 2008 11:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

i think he saw my GMJ-bashing as a way to get the focus off of Howie's suckage

which was totally not my intent, but it is what it is.

game over. day off tomorrow. we move on to Friday.

Kotch would've had that.

by howiestheman on Oct 1, 2008 11:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah i thought that ws your intent

that is what happens when the same drum gets beat too often in substitution of deeper analysis…

We are cool.

by Rev Halofan on Oct 1, 2008 11:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If only you could ban yourself...

I brought sexy back, but they only gave me store credit....

by PhiSlamma on Oct 1, 2008 10:46 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hostility Abounds Tonight

If GA wasn't so Lazy, I'd have something clever here.

by TheTypingFiend on Oct 1, 2008 10:47 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

it happens

we’re all pissed and highly irritable.

nothing personal, I’m sure.

gotta have thick skinz on teh internetz.

Kotch would've had that.

by howiestheman on Oct 1, 2008 10:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Is it just me

or is it cranky in here?

Man I’m glad I was at the park today. I mean, this game stank on ice, but it would have been worse here.

Witty .sig goes here.

by scareduck on Oct 1, 2008 11:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Howie Blew the game

Although GMJ sucked, he didn’t blow the game. Although the error in RF was pitifull the run never scored.. And sure his bat sucked going 0-3, but at least he didn’t have any LOB like Howie

Howie came up in many key situations and flat out blew it and couldn’t get a hit. HK was 0-4 with 1 K and 6 (that is right SIX) Left on Base.

Howie needs to flush this game out of his memory and get his head on straight. We need him to perform this year and get it done!

Could be work, could be baseball...but I got Spring Fever!!!!!

by P237 on Oct 2, 2008 9:32 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Right there is other problems but he is one of them

other is the fact that Howie had a total of 15 AB’s going into this series. Those 15 AB’s against shit teams at that.

Willie Mays Aikens is FREeeeeeeee

by Angel Aviator on Oct 1, 2008 10:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Why GMJ has earned it with his "defense."

The Angels may have beat them 8 times in a row, but winning three before they do is all that matters.

by hauldog on Oct 2, 2008 9:40 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Not BOTG but he does suck

I agree HK blew it.

The Angels may have beat them 8 times in a row, but winning three before they do is all that matters.

by hauldog on Oct 2, 2008 9:45 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You bring absolutely nothing to our discussions anymore

his error cost us nothing compared to how much howie absolutely and gutlessly choked.

by Rev Halofan on Oct 1, 2008 10:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It didn't cost us

But it was terrible anyway. It changed the vibe in the entire section I was in.

GMJ blows. Figgins was terrible, Kendrick was terrible.

Hey you! What are horse mackerel!
Hey, the chair are sailing! You believe that I am toad of the month!
(Yes, that is K-Rod's entry music, translated)

by infant on Oct 1, 2008 10:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

i agree that Howie blew tonight

wholeheartedly.
there’s no excuse that can be made for 0-4 with 6 LOB. plain and simple.

Kotch would've had that.

by howiestheman on Oct 1, 2008 10:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Not so true Rev

Sort of like you talking about how Howie grounded into what you said would have been a double play no matter what Vlad did on the base running gaffe

I say that based on the fact that It allowed them to send another guy to the plate which amounted to Ellsbury to once again hit and score in the 9th. GMJ catches that ball then there is a few less hitters in that inning. Everything effects the game. Either way they are not going to win scoring 1 run

Willie Mays Aikens is FREeeeeeeee

by Angel Aviator on Oct 1, 2008 10:37 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

exactly

it’s the whole “butterfly effect” thing.

we get an out there, Lackey stays in longer, the game is pitched differently (on both sides) and things change.

it’s all about playing the “what if” game.

Kotch would've had that.

by howiestheman on Oct 1, 2008 10:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If momentum can be lost.....then he cost us something.

He even made Lackey say, “insert F-Bomb here.”

But Howie killed it for us with his lame ass bat (Almost like Reggie’s). This game has everyone stressed the fug out, so everyone needs to take a breath and try to relax a bit.

Put Kendry Morales at 1B, and move Sean Rodriguez to 3B......NOW LETS GO WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by acuda27 on Oct 1, 2008 10:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Howie never should have been batting after Hunter

Terrible line up, GMJ is worthless. Howie takes a while to get warmed up, not 15 Ab’s and clearly he shouldn’t be batting that high in the order. That was Juan Rivera’s spot in the lineup and we would be up 1-0 if fucking GMJ wasn’t in the lineup and it was set up properly. Howie should be in the 8 hole and it’s no surprise he struggled in the clutch given the circumstances. The manager has pure blame on this retard lineup. Did he just not witness an entire season where GMJ was ABSOLUTELY worthless any and all times when it actually mattered. Fucking idiot! Juan would have come through and this would have been a different game.

End rant.

But I feel better now. :-)

by LosAngel on Oct 2, 2008 12:28 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

How about the umps?

The zone (and the appeals to third) were really weird from my POV (granted it was in 512, but still)….

Angels fan since '67

by red floyd on Oct 2, 2008 12:17 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

i wasn't around for the whole game

but just from what i saw, the zone seemed very.. ahem fluid.

Kotch would've had that.

by howiestheman on Oct 2, 2008 12:21 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

stupid asterisks

made things bold.

duly noted.

Kotch would've had that.

by howiestheman on Oct 2, 2008 12:22 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

nice blend of positivism with solid commentary as usual Rev

But these still fucking hurt.

Don't call me Desmond

by highlandhalo on Oct 1, 2008 10:24 PM PDT   0 recs

Agreed.

Terrible performance by Howie. We can overcome this. Our offense was decent, but couldn’t get the guys around the bases. All our production was from 2-5 spots.

by Los Angeles de Anaheim on Oct 1, 2008 10:24 PM PDT   0 recs

Stings

Really f—ing stings.

Especially because Boston now knows it’s the “same old story” (to quote the blowholes at TBS) and so knows that all they have to do is fend us off Friday—not too hard—and the SERIES IS THEIRS.

Done.

Light Up That Halo!

by Clutch on Oct 1, 2008 10:26 PM PDT   0 recs

Kendrick ?

How about Figgins ? He didn’t get on base ONCE. GA had hits his first few times up, as did Teixeira. If Figgins had been on base once or twice, it would’ve been a completely different ball game.

Kendrick was terrible, but Figgins just as much. And don’t get me started on GMJ.

Hey you! What are horse mackerel!
Hey, the chair are sailing! You believe that I am toad of the month!
(Yes, that is K-Rod's entry music, translated)

by infant on Oct 1, 2008 10:27 PM PDT   0 recs

Bingo.

Figgins went 0-5 with 3 K’s AT THE TOP OF THE LINEUP. He is not a leadoff hitter. Personally, I want Tex or Anderson batting first, Vlad second, Tex or Anderson third, and Torii fourth. Get the good batters more chances to succeed, particularly when the “table setters” in Figgins and Aybar are playing like it’s spring training.

http://inplaynoouts.blogspot.com/ - A blog about teams I like, written by me.

by Carl Johnson on Oct 1, 2008 10:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed Figgins was shit

and has a history in the postseason of being shit….0-5 with 3 K’s is not getting it done from the leadoff spot….

Here’s to hoping he nuts up and figures it out this time around….we need the spark at the top of the lineup and HALO…

Could be work, could be baseball...but I got Spring Fever!!!!!

by P237 on Oct 2, 2008 9:51 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

no, botg is

GMJ*

--
Zot! Zot! Zot!

by mjhsieh on Oct 1, 2008 10:27 PM PDT   0 recs

Here's my list of major issues tonight:

1.) Gary Matthews Junior. [how did he not play himself off the playoff roster?]
2.) Scot Shields in the ninth. [that belongs to Frankie]
3.) Throwing a fastball to Jason Bay. [he struck out on curve balls and looked horrendous]
4.) Throwing a fastball to Jed ‘Effing Lowrie. [a rookie who can’t hit breaking balls]
5.) Not taking the free walks which Lester was trying to hand out. [especially early in the game]
6.) Not pinch-hitting for Erick Aybar in the ninth. [Aybar, 0-4]
7.) Not pinch-hitting for Chone Figgins in the ninth. [Figgins, batting first, 0-5, 3K’s, needs to bat ninth]
8.) Not bunting one ball towards the geriatric, injured Mike Lowell. [play Angels baseball for chrissakes]
9.) Vlad Guerrero…

http://inplaynoouts.blogspot.com/ - A blog about teams I like, written by me.

by Carl Johnson on Oct 1, 2008 10:28 PM PDT   0 recs

agree with #8

all day they had the chance. maybe never again during the series

by eyespy on Oct 1, 2008 10:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Some good points Carl

I agree with
#3, 4, 5, 6 8

Disagree with:

  1. On paper I thought it was a good matchup to get GMJ in there against Lester, I liked his hitting numbers vs Lester and I thought he would add value in the field. Although I was wrong with both, I can’t go back on my initial thought and hunch…Hindsight is 20/20
  1. I thought Shield was brought in too early…Arrendondo should have came in first and then Shields should have only pitched one inning….No Frankie in a tie game, I have no true data on this one, but I believe Franky pretty much sucks coming into a tie or loosing ball game…He should only be used in Save situations (4 out max)
  1. 7 Let Figgy try and get going we needed base runners. Had he gotten on GA would have had a chance to tie the game with one swing of the bat….
  1. Vlad oh Vlad…my only reason for not picking on him is boy do we need him in the post season. If this continues he is going to get a new name….Reggie Jackson was Mr October….hopefully Vlad doesnt become Mr Every month except October

Could be work, could be baseball...but I got Spring Fever!!!!!

by P237 on Oct 2, 2008 9:59 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

I'm not superstitious, but I'm a little stitious.

by lightupthehalo on Oct 1, 2008 10:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I admire the optimism

But I started watching in ‘05, and I’ve seen this before also.

http://inplaynoouts.blogspot.com/ - A blog about teams I like, written by me.

by Carl Johnson on Oct 1, 2008 10:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes, and

The two times we did it was against the Yankees.

We’re 0 fer 2 doing it against the Sawwx. Doesn’t bode well for us.

Light Up That Halo!

by Clutch on Oct 1, 2008 10:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

But we'll be positive

Going into the next game.

Can’t imagine the Boys in Halo Red are too excited about having another Chowdsweep.

Light Up That Halo!

by Clutch on Oct 1, 2008 10:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

As much as tonight hurts

I felt like the Angels really needed to lose this game to wake them up from their AL West level of play.

Also losing the first game of the series was a good sign in the past, just GET OVER the Sox.

If GA wasn't so Lazy, I'd have something clever here.

by TheTypingFiend on Oct 1, 2008 10:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

our ace had a lead, our #4 hitter had risp with 1 out in the 1st inning

lackey shouldnt have gone away from the curve ball against bay – fastball out over the plate game over

vlad 1st pitch hacking after a teix walk – fail … leads to a howie fail with 2 outs

vlad kills a rally by trying to go to 3rd

most importantly, we never got a leadoff batter on base. figgins led off an inning 3 times and failed, o/5 on the game

by Quinlan's Goofy Swing on Oct 1, 2008 10:28 PM PDT