Angels offense awakens to take series from Baltimore

The league’s best team, the L.A. Angels, have had their hands full this week with the basement dwelling Baltimore Orioles. Monday night the Angels coughed up a four run ninth inning lead to Baltimore with a series of errors a day after blowing a five run lead late in their last regular season game at Yankee Stadium. Monday they were able to secure a win with a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the ninth. But for a team used to winning close games their late inning performances on consecutive nights had to be unsettling for Angels skipper Mike Scioscia. Tuesday night figured to be much better for L.A. as the Orioles sent out unheralded left handed prospect Chris Waters to the mound. Unfortunately for the Angels Waters pitched what Torii Hunter described as the, “game of his life.” Waters pitched an absolute gem, going eight innings and surrendering only one hit with the added bonus of three strikeouts. Waters performance was outstanding considering in 16 starts with the Orioles Triple-A affiliate his ERA was a quite mediocre 5.70. Needless to say it wasn’t exactly the performance Angels fans had in mind when they envisioned this club shaking off  two lousy performances.

Wednesday afternoon the Angels put all doubts aside with an explosive offensive display where they tallied nine runs in the first four innings, chasing the Orioles starter Garret Olson after just 2.2 innings. After Mark Teixeira reached base with a two out single in the first inning, Vladimir Guerrerro ripped a fastball over the left field line. The pitch low and in, i.e. right in Guerrerro’s wheel house, was the third consecutive fastball Guerrerro saw, which is just a recipe for disaster with a batter like Vlad. After that the Angels offense just kept on pounding out the hits, including a solo shot from Jeff Mathis.  Which coincidentally also came off the third consecutive Olson fastball Mathis saw. With tremendous early run support Ervin Santana had no problem taking care of the Orioles. He pitched seven strong innings and surrendered four runs off two Baltimore home runs. Jose Arredendo came in relief of Santana and pitched a perfect two innings to seal the Angels victory, 9-4.

With the win the Angels continue their streak of 18 series against AL opponents without a series loss. The Angels league best 71-43 record has a lot to do with their impressive streak against AL opponents. The Angels will now enjoy a hard earned day off before the Yankees come into town for a three game set.

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