It’s a story that’s become too familiar this season…just as the team starts to look like things are trending their way they run into another roadblock. This time the impediment to their success is another starting pitcher headed to the disabled list. Yes…sadly, Garrett Richards is likely done pitching this season.

At Least They Won

Things started off poorly for Garrett giving up back to back singles to start off the game. Mitch Haniger followed that up with a home run to set the Mariners up 3–0 before an out was even recorded.

But the Angels fought back. In the bottom of the first, Justin Upton singled home Kole Calhoun and the Angels were on the board, 1–3. They would also do all the rest of the scoring in the game and Calhoun would actually score 3 times and knock in 2.

Getting back to Richards though, he settled down after those first 3 hits and seemed to be building momentum for a good game. He got through the 1st and 2nd without any further scoring and in the 3rd, he got the first couple outs without incident. But then his velocity took a nose dive. He could barely get the ball to the plate, and Maldonado knew something was wrong. Apparently he’s got a problem with his ulnar collateral ligament once again. Yup, the same problem that sidelined him for most of 2016 and 2017 has happened again. Last time he underwent stem-cell therapy and it seemed to work well allowing him to come back relatively quickly. Once again though, he’s gotta decide to undergo Tommy John surgery or try the stem-cells again. Surgery means he’s done for 2018 and probably most if not all of 2019…stem-cells could see him back in action later this year. Either way, it is just a another nail in the Angels’ coffin.

The injury to Richards seemed to galvanize the team and they rallied for 6 runs after he left the game and it was nice to see the offense kick things into gear. Calhoun and Pujols both homered and Calhoun and Simmons both put up 3 hits apiece. Ohtani, Pujols, and Trout all picked up 2 hits and every one of the starters made contact and got a hit. It was truly a fun sight to see. It reminded me of the first couple weeks of the season when the offense was one of the best in the league before injuries started taking their toll.

With all the offense I actually have to give my Player of the Game to the entire bullpen. They were able to step up and hold a very potent Mariner offense to zero runs for 6 1/3 innings. Noé Ramirez, Cam Bedrosian, José Álvarez, Hansel Robles, and Taylor Cole all get my Player of the Game and I hope they pitch like they did yesterday more often…with Richards out, the team is gonna need it.

Today, Jamie Barria (5–5 3.39 ERA) pitches for the Angles against Marco Gonzales (9–5 3.64 ERA) in the second game of the 3 game series and hopefully he’ll get similar support as the bullpen did on Tuesday.

Daily Ramble 292.2 | Sports – Angels – Once Again to the DL