Final Score in Arlington: Padres 7, Rangers 3
The Angels at 40-32 are a half game ahead of the Texas for SOLE POSSESSION of first place in the American League West.
Alone in FIRST PLACE After these Tragic Twelve Facts:
- Promising rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart dies in a tragic accident after 3rd game of season
- Ervin Santana has a sprained TJ Ligament, misses two months, pitches in six games and is back on the DL
- John Lackey misses two months with a forearm strain, and is barely getting into form at the mid-season mark
- Kelvim Escobar makes it back into 1 game after shoulder surgery, goes back on the DL
- Twelve pitchers have started for the Angels this season
- DH Vladimir Guerrero misses over 30 games with a strained pectoral muscle, returns just in time to sit for NL parks
-
Howie Kendrick, the opening day 2Bman is sent down to the minors after batting almost 100 points lower than his career average in over 50 games.
- Longtime reliable setup reliever Scot Shields is out for season with knee surgery
- Fan Dies on opening night on stadium steps after altercation
- Off-duty policeman shoots, wounds two in parking lot melee in late June
- Of 22 Angels pitchers appearing in an Angels uniform this season, only 7 have ERAs under 4.00: Adenhart (RIP), Escobar (DL), Sean O'Sullivan, Darren Oliver, Joe Saunders and Jered Weaver started the day there and Brian Fuentes went below 4 in his one inning of work Saturday.
- We started the season 6 - 11
Basically it has been Torii Hunter, Weaver, Chone Figgins, Saunders, Bobby Abreu, Mike Napoli and Brian Fuentes... but... can you BELIEVE it?