Finally A Win at Home
After 3 losses to the Rays and 5 straight overall, the Angels finally put things together and pulled off a victory.
With their 2-way star, Shohei Ohtani, on the mound the Angels put up 5 runs on only 4 hits but it was enough. Ohtani held the Rays to 2 runs while he struck out 9 over his 7 2/3 innings of work. It was the most runs the team has scored since May 10th when they scored 7 to beat the Twins and it put an end to a horrible home stand.
The 5–2 victory marked only the 4th win in 11 games the Angels played at home over the past week and a half and all 11 games were a struggle. I’m not sure what it is about playing in Anaheim but the team really hasn’t been playing well at home.
Gladly though, they head out to Toronto on Tuesday to start a 10 game road trip. At 14–4, the Angels hold the best road record in baseball and it’ll be a welcome trip after the disaster of this 4–7 home stand.
The game was an interesting one as it marked the first time the Angels have ever faced the same starting pitcher on back-to-back days. Sergio Romo started the game on Saturday and again on Sunday and in the 2 1/3 innings between the 2 games, he struck out 5 and got both games off to good starts for the Rays. By the time he left both games, the table setters of the Angels were off the board and Tampa Bay was set up to score the first run. I’m not sure why the Rays are working things this way or how they came up with this plan but it is an interesting concept, particularly since on Sunday, they actually just put relievers out on the mound all game.
Even with the unconventional pitching, the Angels were held to 4 hits all day, one of which was a home run by Martin Maldonado. But while that was an important development, I have to say that my Player of the Game goes to Mike Trout who really made the most with what the Rays gave him. He walked 3 times, after striking out in the first, and stole 2nd and 3rd in the 5th to set himself up to score on a Zack Cozart sacrifice fly. That insurance run proved the difference in the game.
The Angels get a day off on Monday and start up a 10 game road trip in Toronto on Tuesday with Garrett Richard pitching. Hopefully the road will be a nice change of pace for a team that plays well out of a suitcase.
Daily Ramble 241.1