Tuesday Halolinks: Angels still have the making for greatness

Well, that was kinda cool.  Even though the Halos lost the last game of the series, they were able to take 3-of-4 from the Toronto Blue Jays.  The Angels are now 19-18 on the season, four games behind the division leading Oakland A's, and according to ESPN, have a 50.9% chance of making the playoffs.

I've got a little wiggle, but I'm not feeling the best about it.  Anyway, here are some Halolinks:

• Wait, what?  Pujols is hurting?  Or not??  Angels lack timely hits in loss to Toronto Blue Jays - Los Angeles Times.  "The Angels played Pujols at DH for a second time in the four-game series. Pujols said he was "100%," and Manager Mike Scioscia said he was "just trying to be proactive with a little bit of maintenance" by keeping Pujols off the artificial turf. Blue Jays infielder Lawrie told Toronto reporters Pujols did not appear to be running freely. The Angels cannot use the DH in their next two games, in Philadelphia."
• The problem with Wilson has always been trusting his stuff.  Yeah, yeah, don't say it, I know that sounds cliche, but C.J. pitches like he's not sure of how good he is: Buehrle gets seventh win, Blue Jays top Angels 7-3 - Yahoo Sports.  "Both of Toronto's homers came off Angels starter C.J. Wilson, who allowed five runs and six hits in six innings. Wilson (4-3), winless in back-to-back starts for the first time this season, walked three and struck out eight, including four straight during one stretch. ''Two changeups, one to Bautista and one to Lawrie, really cost him,'' Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. ''In between, he settled down and pitched well.''
• Is C.J. Cron the new Mark Trumbo Los Angeles Angels at Toronto Blue Jays - May 12, 2014 - MLB.com.  "Wilson gave up two costly home runs and allowed five earned runs for the first time since his first start of the season. All told, the 33-year-old pitched six innings and gave up six hits and three walks. Angels first baseman C.J. Cron hit his second home run of the season -- and his second in as many starts -- with a solo shot in the eighth."
• This thing is the most hideous, yet awesome give-away I've ever seen.  I so want one, but am afraid of putting it in my house since it miht murder me in my sleep: 2014 Promotional Schedule - angels.com.  "Tuesday, May 20th - Albert Pujols Gnome Presented By Automobile Club of Southern California" 
  
• I haven't read much about this, but I have a new respect for Weaver after this: Los Angeles Angels vs. Toronto Blue Jays - Recap - May 11, 2014 - ESPN.  "With his command failing him in a tight situation, Jered Weaver put his pride aside and did something he's never done before: He asked to be taken out of the game."  If this were almost anyone else, I would be saying the player was gutless, but Weaver has proven himself numerous times, and proven he's not gutless.  He's just a team player.  Weaver puts team first in victory - The Orange County Register.  "“It takes a man to tell you he wants to come out of a game,” Butcher said. “Hats off to him. It tells you the team is a lot more important to him.” Catcher Hank Conger, the third man on the conversation, acknowledged he was “a little shocked. He always loves taking the ball.” This time, though, he gave it up. “It took a lot for me to do that,” Weaver said, “but sometimes you have to swallow your pride.”
• Tis is really from the LA Times, but I found it here: Ibanez's job with Angels could be in jeopardy - MiamiHerald.com.  "When the Angels play the Phillies on Tuesday, Trout figures to bat second and play center field. Ibanez, however, might not bat at all. He is the oldest active player in the major leagues, at 41. He has the lowest batting average of any player with at least 100 at-bats, at .139. If the combination of age and offensive futility were not enough to stir concern about his job security, the Angels now appear to have a viable replacement for Ibanez at designated hitter. He is rookie C.J. Cron, who hit his second major league home run, this one Monday in the Angels' 7-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays."
• After loss to Jays, Trout set to welcome hometown for series vs. Phillies - The Orange County Register.  "I’m excited,” Trout said. “It’s good to go home. Just to see some faces in the stands you haven’t seen in a while will be cool.” Busloads of fans, thousands of them, are expected to make the trek up to see Trout. He has a scheduled news conference to handle all the media requests."
• Angels-Phillies Preview - Yahoo Sports.  "Trout, who grew up cheering for the Phillies in nearby Millville, New Jersey, returns to the area for the first time as a big leaguer. Playing in front of family and friends could provide a boost for the 22-year-old phenom, who is 6 for 43 (.140) with 15 strikeouts over the last 12 games. After removing Hector Santiago from the rotation, the Angels will turn to rookie Matt Shoemaker (0-1, 4.05) for his first start this season and second of his career. The right-hander, who made three relief appearances last month, went 1-0 with a 6.31 ERA in five starts with Triple-A Salt Lake."  What can we expect from Shoemaker: Shoemaker gets nod for opener vs. Phillies - angels.com.  "Shoemaker will now audition for the vacant spot. The 27-year-old is 1-0 with a 6.31 ERA in five Minor League starts with Triple-A Salt Lake this season. No corresponding roster move was announced "I think Matt will be valuable," Scioscia said."
• This is pretty disturbing.  Not as much as the Pujols Gnome, but still, it's mind-boggling that MLB can get away this sort of behavior: Police report: Major League Baseball knowingly bought stolen documents - HardballTalk.  "The Boca Raton police say that Major League Baseball ignored repeated warnings that the records they sought in the Alex Rodriguez Biogenesis investigation had been stolen and that they were not to purchase them. They did it anyway."