Angels bullpen melts down late in loss

Entering the seventh inning, the Angels led 4-3. Over the next three innings, the bullpen allowed five runs as Oakland picked up the win, 8-4.

Mike Mayers was one out away from escaping the inning with the lead in the seventh. With two outs, the Athletics had the tying run at second. Mayers walked Matt Olson on five pitches, putting the go-ahead run on base.

Chad Pinder stepped up, and on the first pitch he saw crushed a homer to center, giving Oakland the 6-4 lead.

Tony Watson got the ninth, and immediately was welcomed with a home run courtesy of Ramon Laureano. A few batters later, Jed Lowrie hit a solo homer of his own, giving Oakland the four-run lead.

Yet again, the pitching just continues to be the downfall for the Angels this season. Jose Quintana actually had a decent start by his 2021 standards. He gave the Angels 5 ¹⁄₃ strong innings and allowed only three runs. It’s now been three consecutive starts where he’s allowed three runs or fewer. Trust me, that’s progress compared to how things were going in April.

Jose Iglesias hit his fourth home run of the season in the third inning, tying the game at one. The Angels then scored three innings in the sixth, which was enough to take the lead. With two outs, Jared Walsh hit his ninth home run of the season. A single, double and triple then brought in the go-ahead run, putting LA up a run.

But then, as you know, the bullpen bullpen’d it up and lost the game. The Angels are now seven games below .500 and are 7.5 games back of first place. For those who are already on Wild Card watch, the Angels are closer.... at 7 games back.

Friday particulars

WP: Yusmeiro Petit (6-0) 1 IP, 2 ER

LP: Mike Mayers (1-3) 1 ¹⁄₃ IP, 3 ER

HR: Jared Walsh (9) Jose Iglesias (4) Jed Lowrie (4) Ramon Laureano (11) Mark Canha (9)

Box score