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Mike Trout found the proximity to water well to his liking and exploded on offense going 3 for 4 with a walk, a triple and a run scored and backing up Jered Weaver's 6th win of the season as the LA Angels topped the SD Padres 7-2 Friday night to open interleague play. Jered himself worked a walk and a base hit in his first two at bats, leading to a mad dash from first to home as Trout tripled down the left field line just behind him. This workout would come back to haunt Weaver in the 7th as he struggled mightily to get though the frame, ending his outing while surrendering only 3 hits.
The Angels should have run up the score even higher, what with Vernon Wells generating a decent 2 for 5 in the middle of the lineup and just missed a second run batted in by popping up about 10 feet short in the ninth. But between Trout and Mark Trumbo (1 for 3 with a BB and an RBI) we suffered through Maicer Izturis and Albert Pujols going a combined 1 for 7 and stranding 4 and 3 runners, respectively. Izzy, we put on hold our expectations for Pujols, but there is no excusing you tonight. You are lucky you play stellar defense and can still take a walk. back to good news: Howie Kendrick finally got a hit, driving in Izturis for an added run in the 9th.
Speaking of walks, the Halos nabbed 7 of them on the night to go with their 10 hits. Interesting development, is it not??
The game closed out in the defensive frames with an old-fashioned shut-down 1-2-3 inning in the 8th by Downs, followed by Frieri in the 9th closing, but not slamming, the door shut 1-2-walk-3 himself. That kind of bullpen development might be the very best news for this roster in 2012.
Oh, one more thing: Peter Bourjos got to put on a batting helmet! Yeah!! He got to step into the on deck circle as a pinch hitter for the pitcher's spot that never came to be as Bobby Wilson struck out to end the Angels' ninth. Petey did take the outfield as a defensive specialist IN center field to close out the game though. Got to play catch out there and warm up just like a real baseball player!