Angels Sweep Orioles, Gain Ground on Rangers: A Fan's Reaction
Hitting has not been a positive feature of the Los Angeles Angels this season but in this weekend's series with the Baltimore Orioles, the Angels hitters stepped up to complete the sweep August 21. There are plenty of positives coming out of the weekend sweep over the Orioles.
Hitting was one of the biggest surprises in this series. The Angels hitters crossed the plate 24 times in the three-game series and they didn't sacrifice much in the pitching department if you throw out the eight runs given up during the game Saturday August 20.
Torii Hunter's 18-game hitting streak ended in spectacular fashion August 21 after one of his defensive students, Adam Jones, robbed him of a home run, leaping at the last second to glove the blast. Hunter chided his one-time protege after the catch.
The offensive highlight for the Angels in this series was Bobby Abreu's walk-off hit with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 12th inning to give the Angels a 9-8 victory. Abreu's playing time was cut back with the recall of Mike Trout but he has found a way to produce despite the obvious blow to his confidence.
Emerging from the depths of adversity was a common theme this weekend. Jerome Williams was pitching in Taiwan last summer with no hope of ever pitching in a Major League Baseball stadium again. One year later, Williams is starting for an MLB team with a chance to make the American League Playoffs.
Williams pitched remarkably in place of a struggling Tyler Chatwood. Mike Scioscia sent Chatwood down to Triple-A Salt Lake City this week. Williams completed seven innings to earn his first MLB victory in six-plus years. His control was perfect, not walking any batters and giving up just six hits while striking out six.
The Angels coaching staff is hoping this was not a one-time aberration for the returning big leaguer. Williams best season in the majors came in 2004 when he won 10 games for the San Francisco Giants. It is possible he has reinvented himself and he will put together a strong September but it is too early to expect four or five wins from the Angels latest addition.
*Todd Jacobs is a native Anaheim resident who is also a longtime Los Angeles Angels fan. Follow Todd on Twitter @LVIIToddJacobs.
Sources:
Yahoo! Sports Los Angeles Angels and Baltimore Orioles stats and recaps.
More from Yahoo Contributor Network:
Angels' Weaver, Haren ineffective in Toronto: A fan's reaction
Hitting was one of the biggest surprises in this series. The Angels hitters crossed the plate 24 times in the three-game series and they didn't sacrifice much in the pitching department if you throw out the eight runs given up during the game Saturday August 20.
Torii Hunter's 18-game hitting streak ended in spectacular fashion August 21 after one of his defensive students, Adam Jones, robbed him of a home run, leaping at the last second to glove the blast. Hunter chided his one-time protege after the catch.
The offensive highlight for the Angels in this series was Bobby Abreu's walk-off hit with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 12th inning to give the Angels a 9-8 victory. Abreu's playing time was cut back with the recall of Mike Trout but he has found a way to produce despite the obvious blow to his confidence.
Emerging from the depths of adversity was a common theme this weekend. Jerome Williams was pitching in Taiwan last summer with no hope of ever pitching in a Major League Baseball stadium again. One year later, Williams is starting for an MLB team with a chance to make the American League Playoffs.
Williams pitched remarkably in place of a struggling Tyler Chatwood. Mike Scioscia sent Chatwood down to Triple-A Salt Lake City this week. Williams completed seven innings to earn his first MLB victory in six-plus years. His control was perfect, not walking any batters and giving up just six hits while striking out six.
The Angels coaching staff is hoping this was not a one-time aberration for the returning big leaguer. Williams best season in the majors came in 2004 when he won 10 games for the San Francisco Giants. It is possible he has reinvented himself and he will put together a strong September but it is too early to expect four or five wins from the Angels latest addition.
*Todd Jacobs is a native Anaheim resident who is also a longtime Los Angeles Angels fan. Follow Todd on Twitter @LVIIToddJacobs.
Sources:
Yahoo! Sports Los Angeles Angels and Baltimore Orioles stats and recaps.
More from Yahoo Contributor Network:
Angels' Weaver, Haren ineffective in Toronto: A fan's reaction
Published by Todd Jacobs
Todd Jacobs is from Anaheim, California and resides in the city of Las Vegas. Todd worked for Orange Coast Magazine as News Editor in the 80s and recently began writing for several online sites including:... View profile
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