Sometimes Defense Wins Games

Sometimes the defense can inspire the offense and other times defense wins games. This game yesterday was a case where it was clear the defense wins games.

This game featured the pitcher who I think is the Angel’s ace right now, Tyler Skaggs. He may have been 3–3 heading into this game but he’s got a 2.88 ERA and has pitched pretty well – if only the offense scored him some runs. Speaking of offense, the Angels had to try to break through on Aaron Sanchez who’s 2–4 with a 4.47 ERA.

What a Throw

Actually, I started thinking about putting this post together as I was on my drive home from work and I was trying to figure out how to comment on the fact that less than 2 weeks ago the Angels were tied with Houston for 1st place. Then as I was headed home yesterday, the Angels were down 0–3 to Toronto and were looking at falling to 5 1/2 games behind the Astros.

So, yeah, the game started as many of the others recently with the Angels falling behind. They went down 0–3 after giving up solo runs in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th, but then they finally scored. After scoring a run in the 6th, with the offense performing so poorly lately, I expected they wouldn’t manage to put anything together to catch up. Thankfully I was surprised.

It wasn’t until the 9th but my team actually performed a comeback. With one out, Trout, Upton, and Pujols were walked to load the bases for Shohei Ohtani. He had been hitless in 3 at bats on the evening but he smacked a line drive to center to tie up the game 3–3. Andrelton Simmons followed with a single to center that scored another 2 runs and…surprise…the Angels were winning.

At 5–3 the bottom of the 9th started as expected – with Blake Parker trying really hard to lose the game. He gave up a single, a double, and a run scoring single to end up with a 1 run lead and runners at 1st and 3rd and no outs.

But then something special happened. Teoscar Hernandez, who had an RBI in Tuesday’s game smacked a fly ball to right field. Kole Calhoun, who’s been so bad at the plate hitting barely above .150, played the ball and made the catch for the out. Then in a picture perfect play, threw home to nail Curtis Granderson as he tried to score. Boom Boom…double play and 2 outs.

Parker intentionally walked Donaldson to put runners in 1st and 2nd but then he struck out Justin Smoak to end the game.

They actually won! And in comeback style.

My Player of the Game is the 0 for 5 Calhoun who hopefully will shake off his offensive woes soon, but who continues to make incredible defensive plays. This was his 7th outfield assist this season and his 3rd double play.

My hope is that with this dramatic victory the offense will break outta their slump and start performing because while defense can win games, offense wins more.

Daily Ramble 244.2 | Sports – Sometimes Defense Wins Games