"The players make the manager, it's never the other way" - Sparky Anderson
The
Angels failed to cash in with runners in scoring position time and time again this afternoon as they drop the series clincher to the
Padres 3-2.
Mike Trout had a productive afternoon going 3-4, including a pair of walks, two runs and a solo shot HR in the 5th. His TNT counterpart Mark Trumbo went 1-4 also with two walks and an RBI in the 1st inning on a double to LF that appeared to be caught by Blake Tekotte at the wall but Tekotte could not control the ball upon landing.
That would be all the successful offense the Angels could muster today. Vernon Wells was stranded at third base in the 2nd inning as Angels starter Ervin Santana would strike out to end the inning. Wells would be removed from the game due to a thumb injury after stealing second base but losing his balance and falling on his right hand. In the Angel half of the third inning, Albert Pujols and Mark Trumbo would draw a walk with two outs but a Howie Kendrick check-swing strikeout would end the threat.
Angels had a great scoring opportunity in the 7th inning as Erick Aybar reached base and Bobby Wilson getting an unorthodox sacrifice bunt over to advance Aybar to second. Kendrys Morales would pinch-hit for Santana but struck out (according to HP umpire Doug Eddings). Following a BB to Trout, Maicer Izturis would weakly ground out to the pitcher to end the threat.
In the 9th inning, Aybar would once again reach 1B with a base hit and steal 2nd and advanced to 3rd on a Bobby Wilson ground out on the right side of the infield. Alberto Callaspo, pinch-hitting for the pitcher's spot, would strikeout to end the inning.
10th inning, Trout legged out an infield hit but Izturis continued his poor game today by popping up the bunt back to the pitcher. After a steal of 2nd base, Pujols worked a walk. Trumbo also reached via the base-on-balls to load the bases with one away. Another untimely strikeout by Howie gives Peter Bourjos a chance to be the hero, only to ground out to short who tags 2nd for the force to end the inning. Horrible, horrible, HORRIBLE production out of the bottom of the order today.
Ervin Santana pitched six wild innings allowing six hits, six strikeouts, two walks as well as two HBP (both to Will Venable). His "living dangerously" cost him in the Padres 5th inning as Yonder Alonso would double to left-centerfield gap scoring Venable and Cameron Maybin, tying the game up at 2-2.
The Angels bullpen kept the game in check as Jason Isringhausen, Jordan Walden and, former Padre, Ernesto Frieri would pitch a scoreless 7th, 8th and 9th inning respectively.
Hisanori Takahashi would pitch the 10th inning. Getting the first two batters out before allowing a double to Alexi Amarista and then an intentional walk before David Carpenter relieved Tak and struck out PH Chris Denorfia to end the inning.
Carpenter stayed in the ball game to pitch the 11th inning and gave up a double to John Baker in left field. A ball that sailed over the head of Langerhans who collided with the wall and had to be removed from the game due to injury. Some defensive changes were made (including Pujols at 3B!) to fill in the void at left field. Will Venable lays down the sac-bunt, advancing Baker to third. Scioscia goes to his five man infield defense scheme (also known as the white flag surrender defense formation). Carpenter gets the low strike call for the 2nd out and a groundout to end the tumultuous 11th inning. Carpenter would also pitch a scoreless 12th inning, giving the Angels another chance at the plate.
Dan Haren entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the top of the 13th inning but struck out after laying off a close pitch before. Aybar and Wilson also failed to reach base or score or do anything of value with the bat, etc.
In the Padres half of the 13th inning, pitcher Clayton Richard got a base hit and would score the winning run on Venable's looper into left field. Howie Kendrick bobbled the ball then rushed a bad throw to Hester who was too far away to apply the tag to get the runner out and just like that, the game finally ends 3-2.
Roster moves will be forthcoming as the Angels pack it up and head to Oakland for three games (thankfully with the rotation still intact).
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