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Around SBN: College Football Rankings - BlogPoll Top 25

Kazmir is Awesome; Angels Still Lose, 3 to 0

First things first: the Halos' new acquisition, Scott Kazmir, went six and third strong innings, giving up only one run on three hits and a walk while striking out eight. He threw up nothing but goose eggs until the seventh, when he issued a leadoff walk to Mike Sweeney before grooving a 93 mph fastball two batters later that Bill Hall lined off the leftfield wall. Sweeney came all the way around to score.

Star-divide

Kevin Jepsen relieved Kazmir, only to watch Hall steal third and take home on a throwing error by Napoli and a missed scoop by Figgins. The Halos avoided further damage that inning when Jepsen induced a DP groundball that Izturis initially booted, then recovered to flip to Aybar, who barehanded the catch, hurdled the oncoming baserunner, and made a strong midair throw to complete the 4-6-3 double play.

An inning later, Brian Fuentes walked in a run. He struck out two of the six men he faced, but yielded a tough-luck infield single, a double, and an intentional walk before the self-inflicted humiliation. Scioscia pulled him before he could finish the eighth.

The Halos offense never showed up, managing just four hits and three walks in eight innings against a very tough Felix Hernandez. Their best scoring opportunity came in the third with a single by Mike Napoli and walks from Chone Figgins and Bobby Abreu. With two outs, Hernandez threw Torii Hunter four straight fastballs, blowing the last one by him at 93 mph.

With the Texas Rangers victory over the Blue Jays, the Angels' lead in the standings has been cut to a mere 3.5 games. They led the division by 6 at the close of play Monday night. The Halos are now a disconcerting 18 and 23 against AL West opponents. 

Results_medium

Poll
Blame of the Game
Torii Hunter - 0 for 4 with 2 K's. Struck out with the bases loaded. Left 5 men on base on the night.
375 votes
Vlad Guerrero - 0 for 3 and left 1 on base.
27 votes
Brian Fuentes - Just because he sucked.
79 votes
Scott Kazmir - For not being absolutely perfect.
47 votes

528 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 62 comments |

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Comments

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Give it to Fuentes for being so f-ing pathetic tonight...

I said it in the game thread and I’ll say it again: Just try and imagine that guy coming in Game 7 of the World Series with a one, two or three run lead.

I would break out a bottle of tequila and probably take a shot on every pitch…hes a joke.

Do it for Nick '09

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Sep 2, 2009 6:18 PM PDT reply actions   1 recs

of course not though...

why would he close now…Fuentes is a closer and will be until our last game of the season…

Do it for Nick '09

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Sep 2, 2009 6:19 PM PDT up reply actions  

bulger and jepsen

much more effective than fuentes.

say what you will about krod, that guy was never in danger of losing his job.

by Quinlan's Goofy Swing on Sep 2, 2009 6:21 PM PDT up reply actions  

He's pretty horrible at pitching.

What do you need a fancy suit for, Charlie, you ain't got no job to wear it to.

by clover_black on Sep 2, 2009 6:19 PM PDT up reply actions  

cross your fingers for the mystery injury that puts him on the DL sometime in the next few weeks. fuentes fucking sucks. i’d rather have quinlan go out there and close.

by daze on Sep 2, 2009 8:48 PM PDT up reply actions  

Hunter

Results aside, his approach after watching felix walk abreu twice in front of him just flat out sucked. I haven’t seen the Hall double, but he should have caught it just on principle for sucking so hard in the box.

by Quinlan's Goofy Swing on Sep 2, 2009 6:18 PM PDT reply actions  

Greatest plumbing service picture ever.

First we had a Salmon and now we have a Trout, let's see the same results.

by angelskid2210 on Sep 2, 2009 6:41 PM PDT up reply actions  

it's funny

the two guys who are 1st pitch swing happy go out, and the team scores more runs.

by Quinlan's Goofy Swing on Sep 2, 2009 6:22 PM PDT up reply actions  

it is ironic but...

im not going to talk down on Hunter and Vlad. Felix pitched a great game…but it is frustrating watching our two big stars look like Little Leaguers…I guess that just shows how well Felix was pitching.

Do it for Nick '09

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Sep 2, 2009 6:24 PM PDT up reply actions  

Seriously guys, when I said “just another September halo’s loss like in years past” I was joking… please stop this mini-losing streak.

by BrentSchmidt on Sep 2, 2009 6:21 PM PDT reply actions  

texas takes the lead

looks like hamilton might be banged up

by Quinlan's Goofy Swing on Sep 2, 2009 6:26 PM PDT reply actions  

let them stay close

Clinching on September 10th didn’t work. I say we drag this thing out.

by UCIHalo on Sep 2, 2009 6:30 PM PDT up reply actions  

Forget close.

Let them leave Boston at home in October.

Let's do this for Nick Adenhart, Courtney Stewart, and Henry Pearson.

by AlanFalcon on Sep 2, 2009 6:36 PM PDT up reply actions  

About to lose 2.5 games in two days

when we’re playing the goddamn Mariners.

Seriously, I haven’t seen this big a fuckin’ no-named lineup for a team since I last watched the Mets. There’s no excuse to be dropping teams to these shitbags.

by Caseys Kiss of Death on Sep 2, 2009 6:40 PM PDT reply actions  

Split with Oakland at home

and then lose 2 out of 3 in SEATTLE!!!!! Soth light some damn fires!!! These guys are playing like they have a 10 game lead.

First we had a Salmon and now we have a Trout, let's see the same results.

by angelskid2210 on Sep 2, 2009 6:41 PM PDT reply actions  

hey

So, besides the fact that the Angels lost, which is lame, it was fun to go to the game, and I’ll write more up about it later, with pictures etc etc. However, do they play mocking songs at Angel stadium at certain points in the game when the visiting team walks a batter, or pulls a pitcher? Because it is pretty damn obnoxious when they played a chicken clucking when they intentionally walked Jose Lopez, among many other things. The fans were knowledgeable and polite, though!

by RubixsQube on Sep 2, 2009 6:53 PM PDT reply actions  

That's my boy!

1. Enemy territory? Check.
2. Halo fan? Check.
3. Proudly and defiantly willing and able to represent? Check.

Seems so simple and yet, apparently, only HH’ers know how to take no mess.

We don't have a Bullpen. We have a Cowpen. Before we get to call it a Bullpen these guys gotta grow a pair.

by Stirrups on Sep 2, 2009 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions  

Seattle fan here

Just wanted to let you know that Dave Niehaus, the Mariners broadcaster, noticed you at the ballpark today and was impressed with your old Angels cap. He mentioned you on the broadcast. (I’m making the bold assumption that you were the only one at Safeco with that cap…) If you’ve got MLB Gameday Audio, cue up the replay and give it a listen!

by naviomelo on Sep 3, 2009 12:55 AM PDT up reply actions  

I saw one other fan with the 1971 Angels cap

So, it might not have been me. Do you remember when, during the game, he might have mentioned it? Either way, that’s really neat, thanks for mentioning it!

by RubixsQube on Sep 3, 2009 8:22 AM PDT up reply actions  

I'm psyched about the rotation

Innings & earned runs over the past eight games:
6.1 1 Kazmir
6.0 1 Santana
7.0 0 Saunders
8.0 0 Lackey
6.0 0 Weaver
[NOW-IRRELEVANT TREVOR BELL ATROCITY]
6.0 2 Santana
5.0 2 Saunders

Granted, these weren’t some of the better offensive teams, but that’s a pretty good base upon which to lay this temporarily derailed offense.

by mattwelch on Sep 2, 2009 7:08 PM PDT reply actions  

Not enough innings

110 pitches through six shutout innings was fine when the Angels had Shields, Donelly, and Frankie in their prime, but now it’s not good enough. It’s a good start, but these guys have to start making hitters hit their pitch when ahead in the count.

I’m not going to call this either way, but looking at the schedules down the stretch and how the Rangers have bitchslapped the Angels all year, the Rangers are sitting in a pretty good spot right now.

by LA Seitz on Sep 3, 2009 7:41 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions  

i guess...

arent all those starts against the mariners and the A’s??

Do it for Nick '09

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Sep 3, 2009 9:27 AM PDT up reply actions  

the offense needs to wake up

that much is certain.

but how about Kazmir? dude was great today! after the new-team-jitters faded away (after loading the bases w/no outs), he came out and looked every bit of the “Cy Young candidate” we’re hearing about.

i’m stoked for our (now healthy) rotation!

Thank you, Nick Adenhart. You will always be remembered. #34

by howiestheman on Sep 2, 2009 7:14 PM PDT reply actions  

Call me Ishmael

..or call me a bitch, but the great white AL West Whale continues to task us, and we continue to fail.

Sooner or later…fuck that…now, the AL West aberration must stop. To my friends in Arlington : Blow me.

by HoustonHaloFan on Sep 2, 2009 7:18 PM PDT reply actions  

The Halos basically have about 12 days to right the ship

and get on a consistant roll. Or they are going to backdoor their way into the playoffs and be 1 and done as usual.

When I'm not at the stadium, I'd rather be watching my Halos back in Costa Rica!

by Dono Romantico on Sep 2, 2009 8:03 PM PDT reply actions  

Hell The Playoffs are no lock.

We still have to win our games instead of hoping that Texas loses all the time.

Go Angels!!!!

by deejayelleseven on Sep 2, 2009 8:15 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions  

True

that is my Optimism speaking. They better start playing like they did in July in the next couple of weeks or they are toast. Do I think they are going tocompletely fold? NO. But the Angels are not that good of a team….particularly right now in close games. Bullpen = Bad. Starting Pitching = Shakey at best due to the inconsistancy. Hitting has been the ONLY reason the Halos are where they are, and if they continue to slump they are F-ed, UNLESS the pitching turns itself around.

Honestly, if they don’t go into October, playing like they did in July, who really thinks they are going to do anything??

The team better grow “a pair”.

When I'm not at the stadium, I'd rather be watching my Halos back in Costa Rica!

by Dono Romantico on Sep 2, 2009 8:28 PM PDT up reply actions  

I said it somewhere else...

it’s going to get worse before it gets better. 5-5 over the next 10, followed by a turd-inducing 2-5 road trip. The final homestand is where the pavement hits the road, 6-4, to set up a clincher in Oakland on the final weekend.. GO HALOS!

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Sep 3, 2009 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions  

Just saw napoli's "error"

Figgins needs to drop down and make sure that doesn’t get by him. Not a hop, skip and an olay attempt. He’s done that garbage numerous times on throws from the catcher.

by Quinlan's Goofy Swing on Sep 2, 2009 8:22 PM PDT reply actions  

totally agree

i said the same thing when it happened… if Figgy stays in front of that ball instead of going to the side of it, Hall doesn’t score.

not that it makes much of a difference in the game, but still. stay in front of the ball.

Thank you, Nick Adenhart. You will always be remembered. #34

by howiestheman on Sep 2, 2009 9:05 PM PDT up reply actions  

Hindsight is 20/20

Sure, Figgy should have stayed in front of the ball, but it was a bang-bang play and he was intent upon tagging the runner. Napoli should have thrown it better.

by rspencer on Sep 2, 2009 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions  

well thats why soth plays mathis...

better arm, better defense.

They want power, We want respect...

by SenorChuckles on Sep 2, 2009 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions  

all of a sudden our starting pitching got good and our ability to score turned to shit. do we need pre-DL joe saunders to give up a bunch of homeruns for the offense to get a fire under their ass?

kazmir did great, and i’m just glad that we were already losing by the time our “all-star” closer fuentes had his opportunity to walk in a run, rather than have him do it in the 9th

by daze on Sep 2, 2009 8:53 PM PDT reply actions  

who voted for Kazmir?

6 1/3 innings, 8 K’s, 1 ER, 3 hits, did you guys even see the game? Oh yea at one point he sent 18 batters back to their respected seats, in a row. Who was the last Angel pitcher to do that? Lackey against the A’s and the 1 hitter or Last year against the BoSox when we acquired Tex? Im not going to dickride Kazmir but the kid showed why he is legit. S-Rod isnt a player to cry about, we got the better deal…

They want power, We want respect...

by SenorChuckles on Sep 2, 2009 9:59 PM PDT reply actions  

Couldn't agree more

Any Angel fan that would vote for Kazmir gives Angel fans a bad name.

Do you morons even realize how far we’ve come? No one picked us and on paper, we should be where Oakland is right now. We took a couple of hard losses, you didn’t expect that to happen? If you’re going to bitch and moan every time we lose then throw out your Angels cap and put on a Yankees or Dodger hat. We don’t need you.

Rex Hudler For President

by Teixeira Who? on Sep 2, 2009 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions  

well...

I think its a joke.

But, if these are the people that are bitter about some prospects that will do absolutely nothing for the angels come october, they should just jump off a cliff.

What do you need a fancy suit for, Charlie, you ain't got no job to wear it to.

by clover_black on Sep 2, 2009 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions  

Fans of other AL west teams probably voted for him

Doubtful any Angel fan watching that game could have blamed Kazmir

RIP #34

by linkbruin on Sep 2, 2009 11:26 PM PDT up reply actions  

Funkin Trolls...

but if any angels fans did vote for him then its just a fail on them.

They want power, We want respect...

by SenorChuckles on Sep 2, 2009 11:37 PM PDT up reply actions  

Bravo

I’ve been following Kaz since high school. First game watching as an Angels convert due to the trade. When I saw people voted for Kaz, I wondered what freaking game they had been watching.

by B.A. Baracus on Sep 3, 2009 3:53 AM PDT up reply actions  

Up.

RIP Nick Adenhart :(

by scottnak on Sep 3, 2009 12:04 AM PDT reply actions  

Missed the game

gonna watch Kaz’s pitching on mlb replay (not going to watch Angel offense).

Maybe, just maybe, it might possibly be time for a lineup shakeup. Maybe. I’m not sure. But maybe. I think Mike may be thinking somewhere along these lines.

Angel Pitching, Angel Defense - get past that.

by vladtheimpaler on Sep 3, 2009 1:32 AM PDT reply actions  

Maybe

Angel Pitching, Angel Defense - get past that.

by vladtheimpaler on Sep 3, 2009 1:35 AM PDT up reply actions  

Oh by the way....

Kaz was awesome; S-Rod who?

The sleeping bats have lost the last two games.

We can still lose the division – 3.5 games is nothing if the team keeps playing like this. The games against Oakland and Seattle are the ones we have to win.

by mustard_man on Sep 3, 2009 4:41 AM PDT reply actions  

What's up with the Blue Jays rolling over in TX?

That was a lame showing. They play the Halos really tough, but then did nothing to help our cause. Bummer.

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Sep 3, 2009 11:26 AM PDT up reply actions  

If you go over to LSB, you will lots of comments complaing about teams rolloing over for the Halos.

We don't have a Bullpen. We have a Cowpen. Before we get to call it a Bullpen these guys gotta grow a pair.

by Stirrups on Sep 3, 2009 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions  

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