Angels play like the team they are and win 4-3

My parents were still in junior high in 1979. It was a good year, from what I hear. Smashing Pumpkins even wrote a song about it. It’s probably because the Angels won their first division title.

The start the Angels got off to was beaten by this year’s start, but they took similar turns. After a strong 12-3 start, the Angels lost four consecutive games. I wasn’t there, but I can only imagine how fans felt. It was probably The End of the World, in their mild and reasonable opinions.

I really like how these two teams parallel. The division is all but a given at this point. This game proved it.

Garrett Richards gave us a start to remember, Mike Trout picked up 8 total bases, and Pujols inched up the hits and homers leader board to end the nightmare that was the last four games.

The big story tonight was Garrett the Remarkable. Richards struck out ELEVEN in just 6 innings. That’s what happens when your ace stops nibbling and attacks the zone. It was beautiful, even with the home run that really should have been a solo shot.

By the way, yes. I did say 6 innings. And it was a cool six too! I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.

Meanwhile, 3 different players went yard to back up the bad-to-the-bone mound master! Pujols is now only 8 hits from the big 3-K, and Trout’s smash tied Harper for the major league lead in home runs! Jefry Marte even tacked on one booming dinger of his own when the Angels had an early deficit.

It was finally a night worth remembering in a week of chaos. It wasn’t exactly a slam dunk victory, but the division winner will have some 1-run games.