6-4-2 — an Angels/Dodgers double play blog: Two Games

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Sunday, April 24, 2005

Two Games

Not that I suspect anyone is really that bothered by it, but I didn't get any game summaries done yesterday. (Pardon me, but I do labor under the delusion that somebody actually reads this drivel from time to time.) Part of the reason why was that I've been tinkering with some sidebar changes that have just driven me nuts, and part was that we were out with some of our disreputable lesbian friends at one of those sleazy gay bars you hear so much about. Anyway...

The Rockies Horror Baseball Show: Rockies 8, Dodger 6

In just seven days... I can make you a te-eeaaamm!

Is anyone else reminded of last year's awful April outings where the team's pitching couldn't hold up to the early-season chill in Colorado? I expect the Dodgers will do better later on, but it was frustrating to only be able to watch the Dodgers' progress -- or lack thereof -- on my cellphone with the bases loaded and Olmedo Saenz at bat. Meantime, the video screen at Hamburger Mary's was showing -- what else -- music videos, and not Dodger baseball. Dammit. Blecch.

Recap

Son, What You Need Is A Good Whuppin': Angels 9, A's 5

Show a little faith, there's magic in the night
You ain't a beauty but, hey, you're alright
Oh, and that's all right with me
-- Bruce Springsteen, "Thunder Road"

Every now and then, I'd like to labor under the pleasant delusion that the Angels really are the power in this division, something I just can't bring myself to think, for the simple reason that it's so obviously untrue. If you need proof, see last week's extravaganza against the Mariners, John Lackey's attempt to prevent his exodus from the rotation, and even Friday's 4-3 loss to the A's. So Chronicles thinks that latter was "just a couple mistakes"? Well, yeah, and those mistakes are the ones that lose you games. It's a symptom of a bigger problem, a sign of a team that can't consistently put it together from one game to the next, the problem that's plagued John "Slingblade" Lackey for two damn years now.

So, back to yesterday's game, which I was privileged to watch from about the beginning of the fifth on. Exemplifying the kind of pitching Paul Byrd does not need to bring to the mound, yet positives remain from it: while he gave up a mess of hits (six), he only gave up a single walk and two strikeouts. It's not nearly as good as I'd hoped he'd be, but simultaneously marks only the first time he's gotten the hook before becoming eligible for the win.

Offensively, as much as the Angels' recap tries to make it out as another episode of the SuperVlad Show, the reality is that the supporting players made this one work:

Jeffy got on base 2-4
Cabrera hit 2-4
McPherson picked up his first RBI, and dragged the enormous towrope of his average closer to the Mendoza line
Figgins started to show signs of his 2004 self with a superb 2-5 night

Only Josh Paul, a very important member of the 2005 squad thanks to Benjie Molina's continuing physical problems, was totally overmatched (0-4). I give Erstad a pass for now; I promise not to complain too much until after we get past May 1.

All that said, however, I would like to direct your attention to the Angels' efficacy against the A's bullpen. That's 3.1 innings of zero-earned-run ball, something the Angels are having a hard time getting from their relief corps this year. Whether Brendan Donnelly wants to admit it or not, it would make sense for the reports of declining velocity to be accurate. Look at his 12.00 K/9 from last year versus his 6.75 rate this year (allowances for Mr. Small Sample Size made), the trend is worrying, especially since the A's restocked their pen with strikeout artists. They're now ahead of the Angels in aggregate K/9, a statistic they now lead the league in; the Angels' pen trails them by about a point and a half.

Recap

// posted by Rob @ 12:16 PM link // 0 comments