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Bloops, Doinks and Dinks for Dodgers Cool Down Hot Halos

ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 1:  Manager Mike Scioscia of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim poses for a photo with former Angel and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela after Valenzuela threw out the ceremonial first pitch on July 1, 2011 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.  Scioscia and Valenzuela played together on the Dodgers.  (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Tyler Chatwood could not replicate his great start from last weekend, when he faced the Dodgers on their home turf. The young hurler didn't necessarily look bad, per se, but it was a deluge of chintzy hits that got Dodger baserunners on base, as well as got them across home plate. From the very first at bat for the Brooklyn Bums, a double by Tony Gwynn Jr., till the very last inning, they had no trouble at all getting one or two men on each side. They had early help via a questionable strike zone that propped up Hiroki Kuroda, while hosing Tyler Chatwood, but those types of gripes can only last so long, as it was after the 5th and 6th innings that the Halos Faithful felt a clampdown on Angels offense all too familiar this season. Again, Chatwood had his problems, but the offense has to score.

Pre1_medium 

Star-divide

I joked to myself after the first inning, when it was 1-0, that if Tyler Chatwood didn't allow any more runs, the Angels might be able to squeeze this one out. With emphasis on the "MIGHT", of course. And that's how it played out. Bloop single, bloop single, doink hit, dink, dong, baserunning gaff, bloop, etc., etc., etc.

And then you have the Dodgers up 5-0. And thats when FSN showed some of the evenings previous, pre-game festivities. The ceremonial first pitch, to be exact. Okay...let's see who they had... hmmm... Fernando Valenzuela. WAIT, WHAT?!! Fernando Valenzuela?!?! God, I hate this team sometimes.

Can anybody enlighten me as to why this guy was throwing out the first pitch for this game? He played for the Angels, sure, in their legendary and often revered (sarcasm, in case the internet is making it hard to pick up) 1991 season. A whole TWO GAMES with the Halos that year... a completely UN-remarkable season. Yet here we are...pandering to the opposing team. Not only the opposing team, but THE opposing team. The one the front office is battling for market share. The one whose fans we all lament trying to take over our stadium in these Freeway Series contests. Yes, sure. Let's have one of their most revered pitchers throw out the first pitch of one of the Angels home games. Whomever it is that's in charge of these promotions needs to stop smoking jock straps, and start thinking like a winner.

Okay, okay... maybe Chatty just didn't have his stuff today, and even if he did, yeah, we let a horrible Hiroki Kuroda totally own us...but beyond that, what's the culture of this club, when the people in charge of promotions decide to roll out the extremely heated rival's beloved pitcher?! Grow "some", Angels. And by "some", I hope you know what I mean (and on that note, yes, I want to go into the whole "we got thrown at on purpose yet we wont retailiate" type of conversation, but this game was horrible and I'd rather just go to bed). Hopefully the guys get back on track tomorrow and Sunday and show the Bridegrooms just who is the better team. Because while the Angels ain't great, we're better than this Dodger team. Easy.

Poll
Blame of the Game
Angels' Lineup
185 votes
Fernando Valenzuela
103 votes

288 votes | Poll has closed

Comment 47 comments  |  0 recs  | 

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So glad I was cleaning up my TiVo instead of this abomination of a team

Those offensive explosions that used to last weeks at a time a few short years ago now last one or two whole games. Screw it, Ghost Adventures is on. Time to watch something almost as embarrassing as this team.

by aces666high on Jul 1, 2011 10:47 PM PDT reply actions  

Good call...

Ghose Adventures is a guilty pleasure of mine and Mz. Mayhem’s. Maybe that will make me forget this crap game.

Whatever, dude.

by Mayheminthehood on Jul 1, 2011 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions  

Scioscia on Trumbo's HBP

On Hiroki Kuroda hitting Mark Trumbo in the seventh, Mike Scioscia said:

"You like to give guys the benefit of the doubt, but he almost got him on the first pitch. The second one was a laser right at him. Mark stands way off the plate. The intent was obvious."

A reporter started to ask another question, and Scioscia cut him off:

"How many guys has he hit this year in 100 innings? Yeah. The guy’s got pretty good command."

by ~MMP~ on Jul 1, 2011 10:53 PM PDT reply actions  

Asked about Kuroda’s overall performance, Scioscia was stingy.

"He pitched all right. He pitched OK."

by ~MMP~ on Jul 1, 2011 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions  

best seats ive ever had at a baseball game...

…And worst game I’ve ever seen in person.

this profile pic is for you TR

by AlohaHalofan on Jul 1, 2011 10:55 PM PDT via mobile reply actions  

don't you just hate it when that happens

Not giving up yet... but man this season stinks right now (6/9/11)

by angelsfan7 on Jul 2, 2011 12:44 PM PDT up reply actions  

Crap, Old School just started!

Decisions decisions! Ghost Adventures, Old School. “I f$&king need you more than ever!”

by aces666high on Jul 1, 2011 10:56 PM PDT reply actions  

That inning by Conger had to be one of the worst ever by an Angels catcher...

…until they reversed the SB they gave Gordon for stealing 3rd.

Maybe it has happened in franchise history (I just can’t remember it), but I think it would be a first for one player stealing every base in one inning? And 4 stolen bases in one inning isn’t likely one, but man.

Brutal.

by RedFog on Jul 1, 2011 11:00 PM PDT reply actions  

Jesus, 4 bases?

I’m so glad I keep “forgetting” to watch this team embarrass itself.

by aces666high on Jul 1, 2011 11:05 PM PDT up reply actions  

Well no, they revered one of the calls...

…he did have 4 stolen against him, 3 by Gordon (stole every base including home obviously) but then they reversed one going from 2nd to 3rd.

I’m not actually sure what the reasoning was, but it’s good for Conger or he might be an asterisk footnote. I really am not sure how to lookup if an player has stolen all 3 consecuting bases in one inning agains tthe Angels ever, but I imagine it’s never happened.

by RedFog on Jul 1, 2011 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions  

Wow, Conger is really going the wrong way

I actually thought we had a catcher that might scare runners a little bit.

by aces666high on Jul 1, 2011 11:11 PM PDT up reply actions  

The revolution will not be televised but the Zombie Apocalypse aired on Fox Sports West?!

What was that? No one could move tonight. It really was like a bunch of zombies donned retro Angels uniforms.

by blithescribe on Jul 1, 2011 11:26 PM PDT reply actions  

About the first pitch.

I think it’s brilliant. Arte Moreno sees a window here. I’ve already figured that if Frank McCourt survives this thing that I’ll simply switch over 100% to the Angels. I’ve been a fan of the Angels since my family moved to Newport when I was 14 (wasn’t really a rivalry back then, pre interleague play), but I grew up in Echo Park, so that’s that. I know I’m not the only person who feels this way. I’ve already been to more Angels games this year than Dodgers games and I live in Highland Park! (Saw Rev Halofan on the Metrolink after the Nats game.) I can understand why it would piss off some Angels fans, but I think it’s great subliminal marketing to folks who might be teetering on the fence right now.

by CerroGordo on Jul 1, 2011 11:27 PM PDT reply actions  

Valenzuela should have never threw the ceremonial pitch!!!

This is equivalent to that stupid Trojan stabbing the Rose Bowl field right before the UCLA-USC game!

by notaznguy on Jul 1, 2011 11:42 PM PDT reply actions  

Stupid Trojan

Wish a real Bruin would maul its head off midfield for doing that shit

Torii Hunter Batting Average Watch:.242

by deejayelleseven on Jul 2, 2011 12:28 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions  

You're just jealous.

It was a tough break, that's all. How did I know I was shooting up a police car?

by rspencer on Jul 2, 2011 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions  

i thought nothing of the sort about the 1st pitch ceremony...

… just thought it was a cool way to celebrate the freeway series. If anything the Angels were rubbing it in the Dodgers faces by having one of they’re most celebrated icons in red. Kinda smart given the current state of the Dodgers in my opinion.

this profile pic is for you TR

by AlohaHalofan on Jul 1, 2011 11:59 PM PDT via mobile reply actions  

Someone please explain this to me.

We were down 5-0 in the eighth inning. We had first and third, with two outs. Up steps of Vernon Wells. The count is 3-0, and he swings?!?!?!?! We are down by five runs, and he is swinging at a 3-0 pitch? WHY?

I've got nothing.

by bc56274 on Jul 2, 2011 12:15 AM PDT reply actions  

Let's be fair

It was a big fat fastball, right down the middle. I don’t blame him for swinging. I blame him for hitting a weak-ass grounder.

by Suboptimal on Jul 2, 2011 12:18 AM PDT up reply actions  

But we were down by five runs.

A walk is as good as a homerun right there. We just needed to prolong the inning. It just seemed like a strange time to become aggressive.

I've got nothing.

by bc56274 on Jul 2, 2011 12:30 AM PDT up reply actions  

You know you are writing about ***Vernon Wells***, right?

NA, #34 SP, LAA
Light up the Halo for Nick!

More Howie please...

by hk47 on Jul 2, 2011 8:25 AM PDT up reply actions  

Who?

And how dare you disgrace the asterisk that way?!

by RedFog on Jul 2, 2011 9:58 AM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

I was sitting in the Right Field Doyer/gangbanger pavilion and was thoroughly

embarassed to have my son there. Not just because of the fact that the Angels toppled back to the old ways of two weeks ago, but because of the skanks walking up and down the aisles blocking the views of the game with their loin cloths doubling as a sorry excuse for clothing. Each and every one of the Doyer “fans” could have been pulled into a police lineup for the Giant fan beating earlier this year. After tonight, I am seriously impressed by the job the police did in finding their guy cuz there’s about 200,000 clones out there.

Just when I was starting to feel sorry for the Doyers due to their moronic, egotistical owner, I got to experience this. This was not my first experience with this matchup, but it will undoubtedly be my last. And sure, some of this is sour grapes from having the slaughter rubbed into my face with each and every base running blunder-turned-Doyer advancement, but I think this is the appropriate place to vent. The Dodgers fans, for the most part, match the classlessness of their failed owner and deserve everything they have coming to them. In short, FUCK you Dodger fans.

Angels Baseball--"A collusion of one"-Sam Miller

by autry's cowboys on Jul 2, 2011 7:56 AM PDT reply actions  

(now stepping off soap box)...

NA, #34 SP, LAA
Light up the Halo for Nick!

More Howie please...

by hk47 on Jul 2, 2011 8:26 AM PDT up reply actions  

I have to stand on one....I'm too short

Angels Baseball--"A collusion of one"-Sam Miller

by autry's cowboys on Jul 2, 2011 8:46 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions  

The LAPD have yet to charge "their guy" with anything related to the Stow beating.

He is in jail in San Diego on an unrelated probation violation. His friendly probation officer thought he looked like the police sketch and decided to turn him in as a possible suspect that is all that was about. You’re right about the clones, I could go around my neighborhood and find you at least fifty look-alikes of that guy that is their prime suspect.

"It's our money," owner Arte Moreno said.

by 44FAN on Jul 2, 2011 9:16 AM PDT up reply actions  

Thanks for clearing that up...I thought they held him on that charge

Regardless…I’m sure 60% of that crowd could have been held on “unrelated charges”.

Angels Baseball--"A collusion of one"-Sam Miller

by autry's cowboys on Jul 2, 2011 9:31 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions  

“but it will undoubtedly be my last”

I said that a couple of years ago. Not a fan of events that occur in the stands when I am trying to watch a ballgame.

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Jul 2, 2011 9:56 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions  

Yeah. Doyer fans are as bad as Chowds.

If the Halos don't care about the way they play, then why should I?

by red floyd on Jul 2, 2011 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions  

Ok what the hell?

Somebody personally emailed me in response to nearly every insult I made on the Dodgers during last nights game thread. Did this happen to anybody else?

Jeff Mathis Batting Average Watch: .187

by ryanfea on Jul 2, 2011 10:06 AM PDT reply actions  

seriously?

aren’t their own fans wearing Frankrupt T-shirts?

by firebird81 on Jul 2, 2011 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah they emailed me too.

Don “great sportsmanship” Walsh? Yeah I’m not a sportsman, I’m a sports fan and I get heated over blown calls that cost my team a win.

by Halowitz on Jul 2, 2011 11:26 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions  

Yep that's the guy

Jeff Mathis Batting Average Watch: .187

by ryanfea on Jul 2, 2011 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions  

Went last night. Going again tonight.

Stuck behind a bunch of drunk obnoxious Doyer fans. Never got into the game and neither did the Angels fans (Chicken vs. Egg)

God needed a starter. RIP #34

by 3rd Echelon on Jul 2, 2011 12:10 PM PDT reply actions  

drunk obnoxious doyer fan....

that’s a bit redundant don’t you think?
Have fun and be careful. I wouldn’t put anything past doyer fans even if they aren’t at their own stadium.

Not giving up yet... but man this season stinks right now (6/9/11)

by angelsfan7 on Jul 2, 2011 12:49 PM PDT up reply actions  

Anyone have any update on Torii's hand?

If the Halos don't care about the way they play, then why should I?

by red floyd on Jul 2, 2011 5:29 PM PDT reply actions  

Hunter's X-ray, CT scan negative

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2011/07/hunters-x-ray-ct-scan-negative-rodney-suffers-setback.html

Combined WAR to date of your Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Fantastic Five (VW, Torii, Kazmir, GMJ, Premium) -1.4. WAR leader: GMJ:0. Combined 2011 salary: $66,600,000.

by VPBOB on Jul 2, 2011 5:55 PM PDT up reply actions  

More Importantly

The link above also says the following (emphasis mine):

In other injury news, reliever Fernando Rodney suffered another setback in his recovery from an upper-back strain that has sidelined him since June 9. The right-hander did not throw in the bullpen Friday because of discomfort in his upper back, and there is no timetable for him to resume throwing at this point.

by jjackflash on Jul 2, 2011 6:03 PM PDT up reply actions  

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