Jordan Walden Makes a Mistake by the Lake

by Rev Halofan on Jul 25, 2011 7:10 PM PDT in Angels Postgame

Final Score in Cleveland: Angels 2, Indians 3

Dan Haren pitched a great strong game, the Angels offense pingponged balls right at Cleveland fielders all night and finally got a late lead on Bobby Abreu's 4th HR of the season but Jordan Walden delivered some pretty straight and simple fastballs to stymied Cleveland hitters and the Tribe walked off with its own come from behind victory in the bottom of the 9th.

However, when you score no runs off Fausto Carmona over six innings you deserve to lose and even if the Angels did rally from being down, this game should have been a 7-3 affair, easily. When your team is chasing a first place club and play like a third place team to a second place Tribe it isn't impossible to chant sell sell sell under your breath.

But hey, let's bench Howie Kendrick even after his alleged Faustian bargain of a nemesis has left the game. Let's make Haren throw over 120 pitches but remove Scott Downs after three tosses and one catch. The problem with Mike's Sothball is in its rigid predictability. In a season that saw our fearless leader pull Fernando Rodney after one sloppy weekend back in early April, he has ossified back to improvising in long-dried cement. Try tapdancing anywhere up the standings in that Mike. The tide slowly rises but August is almost here. Sell sell sell?

Poll

Blame of the Game

Jordan Walden

378 votes

Contrarian Genius who thinks it is someone besides Jordan Walden

125 votes

503 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 120 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

sigh

by ZiK on Jul 25, 2011 7:12 PM PDT reply actions

Poor Dan Haren.

Torii Hunter Batting Average Watch:.234

by deejayelleseven on Jul 25, 2011 7:15 PM PDT reply actions

Great to see him back on track though

After the first inning, he was lights out.

by Raaddad on Jul 25, 2011 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Well. Last year it felt like with Fernando Rodney we would have a 1 out of 2 chance at a successful save.

It feels like with Jordan Walden we have a 3 out of 4 chance. I guess thats better? Or don’t I remember the percival years and the James Lee year where we could expect >90% save completion rates?

by pvinet on Jul 25, 2011 7:15 PM PDT reply actions

James Lee?

Is that Mike James’ and Lee Smith’s lovechild?

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Jul 25, 2011 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions

lol... lee smith whoops.

by pvinet on Jul 25, 2011 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions

ok so lee smith was 90% that one year. Troy Percival had a career average of 86%, although during his prime years (2001-2005) he was around and over 90%

by pvinet on Jul 25, 2011 7:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Offense

We can’t score a run against a guy who now holds a 5.34 ERA in 6 innings?!?! That is pathetic.

Our offense is the blame of the game.

by YouthofToday on Jul 25, 2011 7:16 PM PDT reply actions

^THIS^

Walden blew the save, but c’mon, we can’t score against this really really weak pitcher????
That’s just sad and embarassing.

by Raaddad on Jul 25, 2011 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Bummer of a game, dude.

"Lose your pants and only good things can happen."-MayhemInTheHood

by Mayheminthehood on Jul 25, 2011 7:17 PM PDT reply actions

Morso if you're eyeing the score in Arlington.

Rangers have scored 3+ runs in each of the first 5 innings.

"It is a haunted game in which every player is measured against the ghosts of all who have gone before."

by AlanFalcon on Jul 25, 2011 7:20 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Jesus. Texas is leading Minnesota 18-1

I think they might come back though.

by pvinet on Jul 25, 2011 7:18 PM PDT reply actions

This team couldn't score 18 runs in a week

by Suboptimal on Jul 25, 2011 7:20 PM PDT up reply actions

not even in a fortnight!

by pvinet on Jul 25, 2011 7:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Or even half a fortnight

Mike Scioscia has zero credibility to get mad at anyone, or anything. He is the reason Jeff Mathis plays baseball.

by Stirrups on Jul 25, 2011 7:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Maybe four score

by aces666high on Jul 25, 2011 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions

it would take Many Moons to do so

by eyespy on Jul 25, 2011 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Four score and seven years ago

our Halos had a decent offense, conceived in non-suckery, and dedicated to the proposition that all the players in the starting line-up should be able to hit the freaking ball!!!

by Raaddad on Jul 25, 2011 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions

When Downs was used past a couple outs

This team still hung on to win. Soth is getting lazy and falling back on those defined roles again.

Swung on and missed, he struck him out! ~ Terry Smith

Angels' 2011 W-L record with the alternate red jersey: 14-8

by blast21dave on Jul 25, 2011 7:19 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

seriously...

by pvinet on Jul 25, 2011 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions

silver lining...

he took out walden earlier than I expected! :)

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Jul 25, 2011 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Back to 4 GB

And our title hopes drift away

"Its like when i’m right…i’m right… and when i’m wrong…i could have been right..so i’m still right cause i could have been wrong"-Chevy Clarke's Twitter

by ryanfea on Jul 25, 2011 7:19 PM PDT reply actions

Damn son, it's not looking good, but it is not even August yet

by eyespy on Jul 25, 2011 8:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Heck, weren't we 4 out in mid-September 2004?

Of course, we had some offense then. . . .

You boys stick around--there'll be turkey and ice cream later!

by rspencer on Jul 25, 2011 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions

If Minnesota can overcome a 17 run deficit, we won't lose any ground tonight.

I've got nothing.

by bc56274 on Jul 25, 2011 7:20 PM PDT reply actions

I really think they are on the verge of starting a rally. Holland looks like hes about to crack.

by pvinet on Jul 25, 2011 7:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Texas did in five innings what it takes the Angels usually at least a week.

I've got nothing.

by bc56274 on Jul 25, 2011 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Fran Tarkenton throws for three TD's to lead the Vikes over Staubach's Cowboys.

“That’s Incredible.”

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Jul 25, 2011 7:38 PM PDT up reply actions

18-2!

Here they come!

I've got nothing.

by bc56274 on Jul 25, 2011 7:48 PM PDT up reply actions

"Safety Dance" time

by eyespy on Jul 25, 2011 8:05 PM PDT up reply actions

20-5

booyah closing in now.

by pvinet on Jul 25, 2011 8:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Meanwhile

Seattle is gonna lose their 16th in a row tonight.

"Its like when i’m right…i’m right… and when i’m wrong…i could have been right..so i’m still right cause i could have been wrong"-Chevy Clarke's Twitter

by ryanfea on Jul 25, 2011 7:23 PM PDT reply actions

Did we start that streak?

by eyespy on Jul 25, 2011 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Almost

The A’s started it the day before

"Its like when i’m right…i’m right… and when i’m wrong…i could have been right..so i’m still right cause i could have been wrong"-Chevy Clarke's Twitter

by ryanfea on Jul 25, 2011 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions

well ...

it ain’t a streak until it hits two. One would only be a loss.

by eyespy on Jul 25, 2011 8:15 PM PDT up reply actions

It seems like every time I have a really good day

the next day is a complete suckfest to balance it out. Oh and thanks rest of the league for beating the Rangers…wait… never mind.

Baseball is a funny game...

by Halosfan777 on Jul 25, 2011 7:24 PM PDT reply actions

But-but-but... he was in the All Star Game.

by Hoppity Hooper on Jul 25, 2011 7:26 PM PDT reply actions

looks like napoli is catching.

1 run.

Just numbers though.

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

by clover_black on Jul 25, 2011 7:26 PM PDT reply actions

CERA

CERA only matters if Jeffy is catching Haren and Weaver — DUH!!!

by YouthofToday on Jul 25, 2011 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions

And Downs. Don't forget Downs.

5 earned runs….wait for it….ALL SEASON. On only 465 total pitches.

All Mathis, man. All Mathis.

Mike Scioscia has zero credibility to get mad at anyone, or anything. He is the reason Jeff Mathis plays baseball.

by Stirrups on Jul 25, 2011 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Who would have thought that Downs would be our best "big splash" this season?

by Raaddad on Jul 25, 2011 8:07 PM PDT up reply actions

4000

Is my favorite number.

by Suboptimal on Jul 25, 2011 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions

for your eyes only

by Rev Halofan on Jul 25, 2011 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Isn't it up to 4003 by now?

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Jul 25, 2011 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions

are stRanger games inculded in that total?

by eyespy on Jul 25, 2011 8:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Heath Bell: 29 Saves, 2 Blown. Joel Hanrahan: 28 Saves, 1 Blown. Leo Nunez: 28 Saves, 3 Blown.

Waldo: 23 Saves, 7 Blown.

I like Jordan, I just don’t think hes ready to be a big league closer. Or at least not the absolute-no-questions-asked-if-there-is-a-possibility-of-a-statistical-save-he-will-be-in type of closer.

by pvinet on Jul 25, 2011 7:28 PM PDT reply actions

Actually i guess Hanrahan won't likely be available at trade deadline, so I shouldn't have included him.

by pvinet on Jul 25, 2011 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions

If we don't trade for a closer, who can we expect to come in and be the de facto finisher?

Downs?

by moosemastr on Jul 25, 2011 7:33 PM PDT up reply actions

I wouldn't mind swapping downs' and waldo's roles for a bit and see how it goes.

Waldo in 8th, Downs in 9th. For games that work out that way, at least. Then we can see at deadline how it feels.

by pvinet on Jul 25, 2011 7:34 PM PDT up reply actions

or, choose a 9th inning reliever on a case-by-case basis, and not worry about this statistical oddity called a "save" so much.

by pvinet on Jul 25, 2011 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions

That's just crazy enough to work.

by moosemastr on Jul 25, 2011 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions

yea I don't get it.....

teams spend a lot of money paying people to scout out the other team and figure out how and who they should play against the opposing team, only to throw it all out the window in the 9th inning. Or in Soth’s case, usually around the 7th inning…….

Jim Bowden on Tony Reagins.

Style: Authoritative, brilliant baseball mind who works well in the trifecta with owner Arte Moreno and manager Mike Scioscia. Builds teams on pitching and defense up the middle. Active at trade deadlines, will trade prospects and has the resources to acquire All-Stars

by MH252525 on Jul 25, 2011 7:47 PM PDT up reply actions

While Lyle Spencer has seen 4000...

I cannot imagine how many games scioscia has seen. His eyes are priceless. :P

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Jul 25, 2011 7:49 PM PDT up reply actions

He wears Diamond, and Gold, contacts

by eyespy on Jul 25, 2011 8:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Well there are very few pitchers

IMO that should be THE teams closer. Walden is suffering the same misuse as Fuentes did. Fuentes got lefties out so well but was put into the game regardless of who he was facing because he was the closer.

Tonight Walden was put in the game regardless of who he was facing because he was the closer. The whole concept of a closer is BS. Put people into the game based on who you think is most likely to get them out. Every single pitcher in the bigs is be definition one of the Top .00001% to play baseball and can handle getting the 27th out of a baseball game.

If Soth is so stubborn he needs to have a closer it should be Downs. The guy gets EVERYONE out equally well, he doesn’t walk guys and being a lefty it makes him harder to run on……. This is especially true, because it would allow a rookie in Jordan Walden to be in the role which he would have the most success at which would be RH setup guy that comes in the game when there are at least 2 righties due up in an inning……

Really this is so much common sense……. you guys have to see this too right? How can Soth not see it…….

Jim Bowden on Tony Reagins.

by MH252525 on Jul 25, 2011 7:38 PM PDT up reply actions 4 recs

+1

amen.

by pvinet on Jul 25, 2011 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions

The same Soth who supposedly

has an eye for catching talent??

Swung on and missed, he struck him out! ~ Terry Smith

Angels' 2011 W-L record with the alternate red jersey: 14-8

by blast21dave on Jul 25, 2011 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions

We're talking about the same guy that can see talent in Jeff Mathis.

I love Soth and everything he’s done for the team, but he’s extremely stubborn and I don’t know how much he is helping the team anymore.

Baseball is a funny game...

by Halosfan777 on Jul 25, 2011 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

This isn't specific to Scioscia

No manager uses his “closer” effectively. They used to, back when the “fireman” was the premiere bullpen role. But the “closer,” as a position, was basically invented by a statistic: the save. A totally bullshit statistic.

by Suboptimal on Jul 25, 2011 7:55 PM PDT up reply actions

while the 9th inning closer isn't specific to Soth

his flowchart bullpen usage from the 6th inning on, takes most managers not using ONE pitcher in their bullpen effectively to a totally different level……

It’s one thing to have (usually) the most dominating pitcher in your bullpen try to get outs in the 9th because he’s your closer, it’s totally inane to have say Fernando Rodney face batters that don’t fit him particularly well in the 7th because he’s the setup guy to the setup guy……

Jim Bowden on Tony Reagins.

by MH252525 on Jul 25, 2011 8:00 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Logic Over Baseball Tradition?

Reagins and Scioscia don’t understand.

by YouthofToday on Jul 25, 2011 8:09 PM PDT up reply actions

You mean the 2011 version of this?

by Suboptimal on Jul 25, 2011 8:09 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

exactly....

you read my mind I had lost that image.

Jim Bowden on Tony Reagins.

by MH252525 on Jul 25, 2011 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions

That is a classic.

A wise man does not need advice and a fool won't take it.

by angelslogic on Jul 25, 2011 8:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Definitely

Very clever; is that your work Subop?

by Raaddad on Jul 25, 2011 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Indeed it was

Looks like last July. I must have been wasting a lot more time last summer.

by Suboptimal on Jul 25, 2011 8:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Too bad you couldn't really update it

Or could you?
Maybe with Rodney, Kohn and Thompson, etc.

by Raaddad on Jul 25, 2011 9:00 PM PDT up reply actions

I've thought about it

But I don’t think it’s possible right now. Mike Scioscia hasn’t had time to define bullpen roles this season because the starters pitch into the eighth inning just about every night.

by Suboptimal on Jul 25, 2011 9:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Speaking of nuns and schools and all that

Did you get the summer off?
I have one class only…oh well..at least I get a little money rapping about No Country for Old Men with some fairly intelligent young people (and some one wonders exactly what went wrong somewhere…)

by Raaddad on Jul 25, 2011 9:10 PM PDT up reply actions

I got out of teaching until January

I have a travel grant that I’m going to use next month, and a decent research fellowship in the fall. It was supposed to be for the full year, but the funding center has budget issues. I’m lucky for what I have, actually.

by Suboptimal on Jul 25, 2011 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Better to stay "in school" these days

and take advantage of such opportunities—as limited as even those have become. Sorry if I missed this before, but what is the focus of your research?

by Raaddad on Jul 25, 2011 9:18 PM PDT up reply actions

Nukes, computers, telecom

The guiding question is: how would the United States have actually ordered a nuclear strike in the year 1960, 1970, and 1980? Where is “the red button,” who can push it, what’s it connected to, who is on the other end? Et cetera (for an additional 400-500 pages).

by Suboptimal on Jul 25, 2011 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Ah yes

I think I remember you bringing this up when we were debating the merits of “speculative essays” here at HH awhile back.

by Raaddad on Jul 25, 2011 9:29 PM PDT up reply actions

You better, before I do.

Mike Scioscia has zero credibility to get mad at anyone, or anything. He is the reason Jeff Mathis plays baseball.

by Stirrups on Jul 25, 2011 9:12 PM PDT up reply actions

You're welcome to it

I’m too busy trying to turn a dumb SQLite database into something that is actually useful to me in my work.

by Suboptimal on Jul 25, 2011 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions

That is great.

by JeffJoiner on Jul 26, 2011 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions

Most major leaguers (except Mathis) can hit a fastball

So unless Waldo starts throwing 120 or 130 mph, he’s going to have to find a reliable second pitch that he can consistently throw for strikes.

by mustard_man on Jul 26, 2011 4:53 AM PDT up reply actions

Downs has a sub 500 OPS allowed against both

lefties and righties…… he threw 3 pitches…….

BOTG = Soth

Jim Bowden on Tony Reagins.

by MH252525 on Jul 25, 2011 7:31 PM PDT reply actions

Good job Soth, Waldo, and how about a mention to Bourjos

Gotta love that 0-4 3K performance. Trout please?

Baseball is a funny game...

by Halosfan777 on Jul 25, 2011 7:32 PM PDT reply actions

Move over Nolan...

Bourjos is the strikeout king.

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Jul 25, 2011 7:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Conger just hit his second HR at SLC

He’s now 8-24 with 2 doubles to go with the big flies. I wonder how we could improve our offense?

Combined WAR to date of your Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Fantastic Five (VW, Torii, Kazmir, GMJ, Premium) -.3. WAR leader: Hula Dula:0.2 Combined 2011 salary: $66,600,000.

by VPBOB on Jul 25, 2011 7:42 PM PDT reply actions

By becoming a Premium catcher, duh

where are your feet, and glove positioning, are FTW

by eyespy on Jul 25, 2011 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions

i hope they give conger a chance as a FULL time catcher

but sosh and mathis are pretty much married so its hard.

conger > mathis

by ihigh on Jul 25, 2011 8:28 PM PDT up reply actions

another thing is

if u put mathis in slc, he would probably suck there too.

conger > mathis

by ihigh on Jul 25, 2011 8:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Put him amongst 5 year olds in T-ball

he would probably suck there too.

Sorry Jeff

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Jul 25, 2011 8:36 PM PDT up reply actions

They would have to recind the "everybody bats rule" to make it fail for the team he is on.

by eyespy on Jul 25, 2011 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Mathis MLEs

Salt Lake City: .225 / .289 / .331
Arkansas: .228 / .296 / .343
San Bernadino: .261 / .341 / .402
Cedar Rapids: .272 / .355 / .414

by Suboptimal on Jul 25, 2011 8:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic HS

.301 / .433 / .450
3 HR’s / 7 out of 33 runners thrown out
“Bless you my son…now throw that bastard out trying to steal, would ya!”

by Raaddad on Jul 25, 2011 8:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Maybe Jeff would be better motivated by some good old-fashioned Catholic-school corporeal punishment

Than he is by man rubs and bubble baths. Mike Scioscia, take note.

by Suboptimal on Jul 25, 2011 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions

LOL

He’d probably keep him around just to have someone to flog every nite; though the nuns weapon of choice is generally the ruler, I believe.

by Raaddad on Jul 25, 2011 9:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Yard stick

Because a meter stick would be cruel and unusual.

by Suboptimal on Jul 25, 2011 9:06 PM PDT up reply actions

He might help the Kernels

Not surprising, he is in their Baseball Hall of Fame!

by ~MMP~ on Jul 26, 2011 1:03 AM PDT up reply actions

Your job is to close games rook.

Walden BOG.

Chick Chicky Boom!

by Monkeyspanked on Jul 25, 2011 7:44 PM PDT reply actions

I got to watch the 9th inning

as the song goes, “shit … damn … motherfucker”

Somewhere, right now, Mickey Hatcher is ruining a swing.

by Quinlan's Goofy Swing on Jul 25, 2011 7:52 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Mathis

So he gets credit for Weaver and Haren’s gems but no blame in for a blown save?

Or…. wait for it…. maybe we should credit Weaver and Haren’s success to them and Walden’s location issues to Jordan himself.

Stop this CERA madness — it’s more fatal than Ebola.

by YouthofToday on Jul 25, 2011 7:55 PM PDT reply actions

i said it all along

if this team decides to ‘ride’ mathis all the way to the end of the season, we wont go far.

conger > mathis

by ihigh on Jul 25, 2011 8:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Napoli went 4 for 5 tonight - just to rub it in a little.

A wise man does not need advice and a fool won't take it.

by angelslogic on Jul 25, 2011 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Sigh...

curse…kick the dog…punch out the door…smack the kids…yell at the wife…throw the tv off the porch…take another shot…take another hit…snort another line…down another pill…stare at the autographed Salmon photo wistfully…pass out…

by Raaddad on Jul 25, 2011 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions

With an uncluch ZERO RBI, and 4 earned runs. Around the bowl, and down the hole, goes his cERA

by eyespy on Jul 25, 2011 9:20 PM PDT up reply actions

You know...

if mathis had been batting second … none of this shit woulda happened!

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Jul 25, 2011 7:56 PM PDT reply actions 3 recs

Rec'd

by JeffJoiner on Jul 26, 2011 10:48 AM PDT up reply actions

Good to see Bobby finally go deep again--what a shocker!

and it was clutch as well.
And how ’bout that sweet catch Downs made on a ball up the middle?! You rarely see any of our relievers make a play like that.

by Raaddad on Jul 25, 2011 8:00 PM PDT reply actions

Looking on the bright side again, eh Dad.

by eyespy on Jul 25, 2011 8:14 PM PDT up reply actions

It's a tough job

but somebody’s gotta do it.

by Raaddad on Jul 25, 2011 8:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Mahalo

Your outlook is always appreciated

by eyespy on Jul 25, 2011 8:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Bill Paxton had it right

We’re on an express elevator to hell.

by HoustonHaloFan on Jul 25, 2011 8:10 PM PDT reply actions

So sick of this team. And I use that term lightly

These aren’t the guys who paid no mind when the Yanks flashed their 143 WS wins on the scoreboard at the start of our memorable playoff run so many years ago. This is just a bunch of individuals who show almost no heart. The few that do play hard are overshadowed by the piles of garbage batting below .250. I thought the Halo teams I rooted for in the 80’s were bad, at least those guys came to play. I can’t remember such a bad Angel offense and I’ve been a fan long enough to have asked Jim Fergosi when they were gonna start winning! I was 7 but he didn’t like it. Thank the gods football is back. I can ignore this abomination so much more easily now.

by aces666high on Jul 25, 2011 8:17 PM PDT reply actions

And to think, lazy Juan Rivera isn't even on this team this year

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

More Howie please...

by hk47 on Jul 26, 2011 8:36 AM PDT up reply actions

Scioscia you fat, lasagna eating son of a bitch...

Would you please knock this "roles’ bullshit off? We’re chasing a title.

Oh, and Waldon, throw strikes.

Shitty game.

Tim Salmon: The once and future Kingfish.

by Teixeira Who? on Jul 25, 2011 8:28 PM PDT reply actions

It's not just our manager, it is baseball in general

This myth of defined bullpen roles. Last night was a prime example. Downs throws three pitches, gets an out. Then, the manager feels like he has to bring in Walden because he’s the “closer.” Why is this? It defies logic.

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

More Howie please...

by hk47 on Jul 26, 2011 8:37 AM PDT up reply actions

especially with a LH hitter in Brantley leading off the ninth

In comes Walden, and Brantley singles leading off…

The porblem with baseball as a sport, is there is too much tradition. You have to be willing to think outside of the box.

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

More Howie please...

by hk47 on Jul 26, 2011 8:42 AM PDT up reply actions

I left to go home between the 8th and 9th.

Bobby was POTG.
WTF!?!?!!

Mathis is a sign of The Apocalypse.
"And God looked upon The Angels lineup, and, behold, it was corrupt."

by Halo Hurricane on Jul 25, 2011 8:34 PM PDT reply actions

Walden blew it, but Scioscia deserves his fair share of the blame for 2 things:

1.) Not leaving Downs in to face the string of lefties
2.) The incessant pickoff calls and the dumb 1-1 pitch out when Walden wasn’t really in sync to begin with.

Scioscia really is a terrible in game manger.

by GTFO Fernando on Jul 25, 2011 9:36 PM PDT reply actions

Pulling Downs was ridiculous. He had thrown 3 pitches!

It was actually lefty, switch-hitter, lefty, but Downs should have still been in.

Brantley has a .603 OPS against lefties this season, compared to .769 against righties
Cabrera has a .766 OPS against lefties this season, compared to .865 against righties
And the one that stands out the most, Hafner has a .637 OPS against lefties, compared to 1.020 against righties

Downs is holding both lefties and righties to an OPS below .450.
He’s our best reliever, and had favorable matchups coming up, he should have stayed in

by ~MMP~ on Jul 26, 2011 1:16 AM PDT up reply actions

agreed.

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

More Howie please...

by hk47 on Jul 26, 2011 8:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Most of this is plain absurd...

The kid blew the save. Period. He’s either the closer or we don’t need him.

There wasn’t anything wrong with the closer coming out in the ninth inning. The leadoff guy got on. The leadoff guy stole a base. After all that, the closer still has a chance to close. He didn’t. This isn’t about Sosh’s commitment to roles. Just about everyone on this site (including me) got pumped at the thought of Waldo closing and gets pumped at the thought of him coming in. It’s cool that we got to see him in the all star game even though he led baseball in blown saves. I don’t mind treating the young guys like our neighbors kid to sickening heights, but let’s not rob the guy of his manhood. Manhood comes with accountability and responsibility. You hold a job only 30 people on earth have. Tonight, you are the blame of the game.

"We are not on an austerity program," Arte Moreno

by thebigtizzle on Jul 26, 2011 4:24 AM PDT reply actions