Angels fail to get swept, somehow score more runs than the Orioles in victory

Angels 5, Orioles 4

A common saying in baseball is that it is a game of inches. And yes, the Angels are having trouble with the Baltimore Orioles, but if Thursday New York had made the correct call on the Trout double, and if Saturday Justin Upton (or even Trout) had flared a lousy single in the ninth, currently we’re looking at 3 of 4 from the Birds and a 5-1 week.

Oh well. It didn’t happen, so all we’re left with is the chance to pick up the pieces on a Sunday afternoon.

Matt Thaiss continues to be the master at hitting homers that (a) don’t look like homers and (b) barely manage to clear the wall. Here’s #1.

A Dylan Bundy breaking ball special, it’s “launched” into the seats. The Angels need it.

However, they collapse defensively in the fifth, causing Félix Peña to surrender three runs in the frame. Trey Mancini delivered the key blow with a two-run single.

Rather majestically, Albert Pujols swung at a 3-0 pitch and deposited it into the seats, tying the game in the sixth. Paging Rick Souddress, who hates 3-0 swinging. (I do too, but it’s not as relevant as when I’m attempting to take a swipe at Mr. Souddress.)

And then after what must have been a thousand pop-ups, Thaiss came up again and hit a pop up that kept carrying and carrying and carrying, good enough for wall-scraper #2. Walk-off style.

Congrats to Andrelton Simmons for picking up his 1000th career hit. As much maligned as his offense has been throughout his career, he is picking up more than a hit a game.

Next the Angels play the Detroit Tigers. A quick look at the Twitter page of the SBNation affiliate, Bless You Boys:

Umm...yeah. If there’s anything I’ve learned from this weekend...never take wins for granted!

LTBU! We’re nasty.