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Red Sox Slam the Door On Angels Season, Pineiro Also Finished.  Halolinks

UPDATE:  Craig Calcaterra from NBC Sports Hardball Talk gave us a mention.

Star-divide

Red Sox Beat Los Angeles Angels 7-3 With Help From Marco Scutaro's Grand Slam - Courant.com
When Marco Scutaro saw a changeup coming from one of the hardest-throwing relievers in baseball, Boston's scrappy shortstop knew exactly what to do with that stroke of good luck.  After Rodney issued two walks and gave up a bunt single to open the eighth, Scutaro drove a two-strike changeup into the left field corner, where it stayed just fair. "I was just trying to see the ball and hit a fly ball — something," Scutaro said of the fastballs he had seen earlier in the at-bat. "It's tough when he's throwing 97, 98 [mph], and then he throws a change.  "The Angels were swept at home for the first time in 80 series, ending the majors' longest streak since Atlanta went 84 home series without being swept from 2003-06. "We'll start to patch some things together here," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said after keeping his clubhouse closed for an unusally long time. "Everything is a cause-and-effect, for sure, but we certainly don't feel that we're out of this right now. We've obviously been struggling the last couple of weeks. I think there's options we need to look at, and when there's something that's going to make us better, internally or externally, we'll act on it."

When we look back on the 2010, the point where we will acknowledge the end of this season will be Marco Scutaro's 8th inning grand slam on a Fernando Rodney changeup.  After throwing fastballs of 96, 97, 99, and 98 mph, fastballs that Scutaro never made decent contact on, Rodney threw back-to-back elevated changeups, the second of which Scutaro belted to left field.  I Googled "changeup" and "weak hitter" and this is what I found: "Never throw a change to a batter that can't catch up to your fastball. He will drill it because his low bat speed enables him to accidentally hit this pitch."  Apparently Google is smarter than Fernando Rodney when it comes to pitching.  Here's the video:  Scutaro hits a grand slam to left - Marco Scutaro cranks a grand slam to left field to give the Red Sox a 7-3 lead in the eighth inning.  Another indication that the season is probably over?  This: Pineiro scratched from start against Red Sox - Joel Pineiro is scratched from his start against the Red Sox due to a left oblique strain.

Diamondbacks-Phillies Preview - FOX Sports on MSN
Philadelphia has won a season-best seven in a row and its resurgent offense now looks to spoil Joe Saunders' debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night. Arizona (37-64) acquired the left-hander in the deal that sent ace Dan Haren to the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. After totaling 33 wins the previous two years, Saunders has been inconsistent this season with a 6-10 record and a 4.62 ERA. "They obviously think highly of me, so it will be a new challenge," he said. Saunders is 0-2 in his last four starts. He lost his final outing in an Angels uniform but pitched well, going seven innings in a 1-0 loss at Texas on Friday. Saunders is 6-3 with a 3.80 ERA in 11 starts versus the NL, including a win two years ago the only time he faced the Phillies.

There will be a Halos Heaven game thread for Saunders' first start as a Diamondback starting at 4 o'clock.  As it's been pointed out in a few comments, after being traded to Arizona and having the uniform number of 51 during his time in Anaheim, Saunders changed his uniform number to 34.  There's been no official reason from anyone as to why Saunders changed his number, but most fans assume it's out of respect for his teammate Nick Adenhart

Joe Saunders is a good man.

 

Joel Pineiro discusses his muscle injury -- latimes.com

Video interview.

Wobbly contenders weaken trade market - Tim Brown - Yahoo! Sports
Forty-eight hours after general manager Tony Reagins was asked to define the Los Angeles Angels’ place in the American League West race and he’d answered, ‘’We’re firmly in this thing," the Angels had fallen back another two games.

I wonder what his answer would be today?

Cubs' Derrek Lee rejected a trade to the Angels - latimes.com
Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee used his rights as a player with 10 years' big league experience and five years with the same team to reject a trade to the Angels last week. "It was very tempting," Lee told reporters in Houston after the Cubs' 8-1 loss to the Astros on Wednesday. "I didn't just say no right away. A lot of thought goes into it." According to a major league source, Lee vetoed the trade seven to 10 days ago. The Angels then turned their sights to Kansas City, acquiring Royals third baseman Alberto Callespo for two minor league pitchers on July 22.

RATS! Angels new vermin in home stadium - Jeff Miller - The Orange County Register
Back on the field Wednesday, the patchwork pitch work resulted in coach Mike Butcher making repeated visits to the mound. By repeated we mean Butcher didn’t spend this much time out there when he actually pitched for the Angels. His next-to-last visit came in the eighth inning and couldn’t prevent the complete and crippling meltdown of Fernando Rodney. The reliever turned igniter when he walked the first two batters he faced, permitted a bunt single to a guy – the sacrificing Eric Patterson – who was trying to make an out on purpose and then gave up a grand slam to Marco Scutaro. The disheveling was so thorough that Rodney’s cap was knocked straight, you know, the way grownups dress, as opposed to Rodney’s preferred cockeyed style.

Usually Jeff Miller's article are the worst thing posted on the internet.  This one however, isn't so bad...as far as Jeff Miller articles go.

10 MLB deals that backfired - FOX Sports on MSN
5. July 31, 2007 — The Braves trade Elvis Andrus, Neftali Feliz, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Matt Harrison, and Beau Jones to the Rangers for Mark Teixeira and Ron Mahay.

This is all the Braves fault.

Screw you PECOTA:

American League West
Team W L Pct. GB
Texas 59 42 .584 -
Oakland 51 49 .510
L.A. Angels 52 52 .500
Seattle 39 63 .382 20½

 

Angels " Win Probability " Wednesday, July 28, 2010 - FanGraphs Baseball

20100728_redsox_angels_0_medium

Scot Shields, starting pitcher:

Boston Red Sox
Hitters AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG
Marco Scutaro, SS 4 1 3 4 2 1 2 .281
Darnell McDonald, RF 5 0 0 0 1 2 5 .257
Kevin Youkilis, 1B 4 1 1 1 1 0 5 .308
David Ortiz, DH 5 0 1 0 0 4 2 .255
Victor Martinez, C 5 0 2 0 0 0 0 .286
Adrian Beltre, 3B 5 1 1 1 0 1 4 .332
Jeremy Hermida, LF 3 1 0 0 2 2 2 .206
Bill Hall, 2B 3 2 1 1 2 2 2 .230
Eric Patterson, CF 4 1 3 0 0 0 0 .216
Totals 38 7 12 7 8 12    
Batting
2B - Eric Patterson (8, Shields)
3B - Eric Patterson (5, Thompson)
HR - Marco Scutaro (6, Rodney), Kevin Youkilis (19, Thompson), Adrian Beltre (17, Shields), Bill Hall (11, Shields)
SH - Eric Patterson (2)
RBI - Marco Scutaro 4 (34), Kevin Youkilis (62), Adrian Beltre (65), Bill Hall (29)
2-OUT RBI - Bill Hall (13)
Team LOB - 13
Los Angeles Angels
Hitters AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG
Erick Aybar, SS 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 .279
Maicer Izturis, DH 3 0 0 1 0 2 0 .237
Alberto Callaspo, 3B 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 .274
Bobby Abreu, RF 3 0 0 0 1 1 0 .253
Hideki Matsui, LF 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 .251
    Juan Rivera, LF 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .258
Howard Kendrick, 2B 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 .270
Mike Napoli, 1B 4 0 1 0 0 2 2 .251
Bobby Wilson, C 4 0 1 1 0 2 1 .222
Reggie Willits, CF 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 .272
Totals 31 3 6 3 2 9    
Batting
2B - Alberto Callaspo (20, Delcarmen), Mike Napoli (15, Beckett), Reggie Willits (3, Beckett)
SF - Maicer Izturis (2)
SH - Erick Aybar (8)
RBI - Maicer Izturis (21), Bobby Wilson (7), Reggie Willits (8)
2-OUT RBI - Bobby Wilson (2), Reggie Willits (1)
Team LOB - 5
 
Boston Red Sox
Pitchers IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Josh Beckett (W,2-1) 7 5 3 3 1 5 0 6.33
Manny Delcarmen 1 1 0 0 1 2 0 4.86
Ramon Ramirez 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 4.57
Pitches-Strikes - Josh Beckett 112-69, Manny Delcarmen 27-15, Ramon Ramirez 13-9
Ground Balls-Fly Balls - Josh Beckett 9-7
Batters Faced - Josh Beckett 27, Manny Delcarmen 5, Ramon Ramirez 3
Los Angeles Angels
Pitchers IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Scot Shields 1.2 4 2 2 2 2 2 5.86
Francisco Rodriguez 2.1 3 0 0 0 2 0 3.26
Rich Thompson 3 2 1 1 1 5 1 2.45
Fernando Rodney (L,4-1) 0.1 2 4 4 3 1 1 4.43
Michael Kohn 1.2 1 0 0 2 2 0 9.00
WP - Scot Shields 2 (5)
Pitches-Strikes - Scot Shields 52-30, Francisco Rodriguez 41-24, Rich Thompson 51-32, Fernando Rodney 31-16, Michael Kohn 37-20
Ground Balls-Fly Balls - Francisco Rodriguez 2-3, Michael Kohn 1-2
Batters Faced - Scot Shields 11, Francisco Rodriguez 10, Rich Thompson 12, Fernando Rodney 6, Michael Kohn 8
 
Game Information
Attendance - 44052
Game Time - 3:36
Temperature - 74
Umpires - Home - Todd Tichenor, First Base - Laz Diaz, Second Base - Wally Bell, Third Base - James Hoye

0 recs  |  Comment 35 comments |

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Everygame, it seems as Scioscia paces and complains more and more in the dugout

Normally a man of little emotions seems to be upset at this team…

Fuentes = The New 'F' Word

by Sinatrasratpack on Jul 29, 2010 8:04 AM PDT reply actions  

So we are going to become sellers

I know things look bad and the season may be a loss but more than ONE-THIRD of the season has yet to be played. Are we really giving up?

by kbrown2225 on Jul 29, 2010 8:49 AM PDT reply actions  

I gave up

the moment Cliff Lee went to the Rangers. I was hoping the team would make a run, but they’re doing the opposite…its over.

by 2pintsofbooze on Jul 29, 2010 9:12 AM PDT up reply actions  

But doesn’t
Mathis choose what pitch that F-Rod throws?

by phoenix15 on Jul 29, 2010 9:23 AM PDT reply actions  

Wilson this time

"Ballplayers play baseball." -Jose Mota

by Fred Fredrix on Jul 29, 2010 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions  

Yes, the catcher calls the pitch

…but the pitcher controls the location and pitch quality. The pitch for the GS was belt-high and over the heart of the plate and had no life on it. Rodney owns the outcome.

by mustard_man on Jul 29, 2010 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions  

What difference does it make what the catcher calls for...

…if the pitcher can’t throw strikes? Rodney walked Boston’s #7 and 8 batters to start the 8th inning on a total of about 12 pitches. Some of the pitches were a foot out of the strike zone. It was completely inexcusable.

Of course, he then threw about 7 pitches to Scutaro, all but one in the strike zone, including back-to-back elevated change-up’s. The second one landed in the outfield seats.

by sothball on Jul 29, 2010 9:37 AM PDT up reply actions  

Sounds like some people don't understand either sarcasm or CERA.

Warning: The message above may or may not contain sarcasm. Read and interpret at your own risk.

by snowhor on Jul 29, 2010 10:04 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions  

Can we fire SOSH and his staff of walking dead yet?

Time for new blood.

They’ve hit the 10 year wall.

Its over for them.

The team no longer responds to their tired, micro managing style.

The days of blaming the past are over. Today is happening. Go S. PIOLI and seize the day!

by OCCHIEF2U on Jul 29, 2010 9:57 AM PDT reply actions  

and who would you like to replace him with?

Bobby Valentine?

on other words, the answer to your question is NO

by 2pintsofbooze on Jul 29, 2010 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions  

Yep, it's a scientific fact that players don't perform after being managed by the same staff for 10 years.

And to those of you who will point out that 0 players have been on the team for 10 years, I respond that you can’t argue with science.

Warning: The message above may or may not contain sarcasm. Read and interpret at your own risk.

by snowhor on Jul 29, 2010 10:09 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions  

To help snowhor with his sarcasm

MFY, Torre, 1996-2008

Angels baseball. We do what we must, because we can -- HaloDutch

by red floyd on Jul 29, 2010 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions  

SOSH controls everything..........down to every pitch thrown

He’s a micro-manager.

Watch the catcher (any of them), they all look to the dugout before every pitch to get the sign from SOSH who is flashing signs all game long.

The days of blaming the past are over. Today is happening. Go S. PIOLI and seize the day!

by OCCHIEF2U on Jul 29, 2010 9:59 AM PDT reply actions  

The official word is that those are only signs for pick off throws, pitch outs, etc.

Game's the same, just got more fierce.

by Sam Miller OCR on Jul 29, 2010 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions  

Right

Those aren’t signs for the pitch (otherwise why would Scioscia ever compliment his catcher on calling a good game?). You’ll notice the catcher doesn’t look over there when no one’s on base.

Defending maligned chants since 2009

by Gorbachav5 on Jul 29, 2010 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions  

Yes they do......

And of course I know if they’re doing it without men on base. That’s a contributing factor to why I said what I did.

Catchers handling pitchers better does not mean they call a better game.

SOSH is calling the games from the dugout.

I stand by that.

The days of blaming the past are over. Today is happening. Go S. PIOLI and seize the day!

by OCCHIEF2U on Jul 30, 2010 11:31 PM PDT up reply actions  

We still got this...

I, a self-proclaimed pessimist, still think we have a chance. There’s a lot of baseball still left. The Rangers might collapse. We can do this.

GO HALOS!

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Jul 29, 2010 10:01 AM PDT reply actions  

Little is right. They share most of the same schedule. Of non-shared games, Rangers’ opponents (Angels excluded) have .522 winning percentage. Angels’ opponents (minus the Rangers) have .516.

Game's the same, just got more fierce.

by Sam Miller OCR on Jul 29, 2010 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions  

This might help a tiny bit:

Aaron Gleeman:
Jeff Wilson of the Dallas Morning News reports that Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler will be placed on the disabled list today “with an injury to his left leg that isn’t considered serious but needs to be rested and treated for the stretch run.”
Fill-in is Andres Blanco.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/ian-kinsler-reportedly-headed-to-disabled-list-with-leg-injury.php

"The world is made for people who aren't cursed with self-awareness." - Annie Savoy

by raskul on Jul 29, 2010 10:32 AM PDT reply actions  

I want us to win games of our own accord

not gain in the standings on a trail of the torn ligaments of our foes.

Just saying.

W6G -- Unless there's a good trade on the table.

by RexTookMyStash on Jul 29, 2010 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions  

I agree with what you're saying, but...

winning on our own accord would include Kendry Morales and Joel Pineiro being in the game.

by WiHaloFan on Jul 29, 2010 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions  

With the cushion they have...

they can afford this DL “luxury” at this point. That’s a smart move, imho.

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Jul 29, 2010 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions  

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