June 2008 Archives

You have to hand it to Jered Weaver. He pitched one the best outings of his career Saturday against the Dodgers with six hitless innings, but still thought he could have, and should have done better. A Weaver fielding error eventually led to the only Dodgers run of the night as the Angels lost even though they didn't give up a hit. It was a historic night as the Angels became the fifth team in the modern era to lose a game while not allowing their opponent a hit. It was the sixth time it has ever happened in major-league history.

"Anytime you lose it's not a good outing for you," Weaver said. "You're out there to win ballgames and go as deep as you can. Anytime you lose it's going to stick with for a little bit. I'm sure (everybody) is going to eat this up a lot longer than I am."

Weaver owned up to all lof it, even though the Angels offense was nowhere to be seen.

"Any loss is tough, it doesn't matter what the (pitching) line is," he said. "You're trying to go out there and win ballgames and anytime your team doesn't come out ahead, it's frustrating. What are you going to do? You have to come back out there and win tomorrow."

"This stings a little more, but any time you lose it's going to sting."

Friday's defeat, combined with one at Washington on Wednesday means the Angels have lost consecutive road games for the first time since May 7-11 when they lost four in a row (one at KC and three at Tampa Bay). Friday's 6-0 defeat to the Dodgers was just the third time the Angels have been shut out this season. They were also shut out May 9 and 10 at Tampa Bay.

At least Vladimir Guerrero managed to extend his hitting streak to 16 games, but had to do it on an infield single. He is batting .426 (26-for-61) during his hit streak to raise his average from .251 to its current .290.

Manager Mike Scioscia said he made Chone Figgins a late stratch against the Dodgers on Friday because of an infection Figgins developed on a cut near his knee. Scioscia said Figgins is on antibiotics and the infection is not deemed to be serious. Robb Quinlan started at third base in place of Figgins. The Angels' regular leadoff hitter is available for pinch-hit duty if necessary.

That six-run first inning the Angels threw at the Washington Nationals today was the first time the team has scored six runs in the first inning since July 27 of last season when they did it against the Detroit Tigers. The Angels won that game 11-6.

This little tidbit below is courtesy of the Elias Sports Bureau. It seems like the Angels have managed the talent of winning when the offense doesn't contribute a whole lot. Since they've had enough practice at the habit, it would stand to reason they have gotten pretty good at it.

From Elias:

The Angels beat the Nationals, 3-2, on Monday night. It was the
major league-high 15th time this season that Mike Scioscia's team won a
game in which it scored three-or-fewer runs. No other team in the
majors has won more than 11 games of that type this season.

So much for that early-season slump. Vladimir Guerrero is hitting with the best of them in June. Here is the list of the month's hottest hitters:

Highest BA in June - MLB (min 50 PA)

Johnny Damon, NYY .444

Alex Rodriguez, NYY .443

J.D. Drew, Bos .441

Vladimir Guerrero, LAA .417

Jose Guillen, KC .412

Erick Aybar isn't expected to return to the Angels roster until this weekend, but he's looking like he is ready to go. In his second rehab start Tuesday at Rancho Cucamonga, Aybar played seven innings at shortstop and went 2-for-4 with a run scored, had a double, collected two RBI and even stole a base. Aybar has been out since May 21 with a dislocated right pinky finger.

There are plenty of Mets jerseys in the stands tonight as the Angels' opponent is well supported. But none of those Mets fans got the treatment heaped on an apparent Celtics fan who was walking to his seat in the sixth inning. The Celtics fan, who was wearing a Kevin Garnett jersey and a backward Celtics cap, not only was booed, but the fans along his route all stood up as they let him know how they felt.

Looks like Kelvim Escobar is on schedule to pitch a two-inning simulated game Tuesday against live hitters. The right-hander has been on the disabled list all season with a torn right labrum.

It seems obvious that if Escobar can come back and contribute this season, it would be out of the bullpen where he was a huge help in 2005. But nobody with the Angels is willing to say that they are aiming Escobar toward a bullpen spot.

The Angels and Mets kick off a three-game interleague series at Angel Stadium tonight. Here are some ties between the organizations:

On Dec. 10, 1971, these two teams completed one of the more significant trades in each organization's history...The Angels acquired Nolan Ryan, Don Rose, Leroy Stanton and Francisco Estrada from the Mets in exchange for Jim Fregosi....

Angels' Manager Mike Scioscia hit the most memorable home run of his career at Shea Stadium, a two-run game-tying shot off Dwight Gooden in the 9th inning of Game 4 of the 1988 NLCS and a turning point in the series...The Dodgers would win the game in 12 innings and tie the series at two wins apiece.

Mets' Coach Sandy Alomar, Sr. was an All-Star second baseman with the Angels in 1970 and still holds the club record for consecutive games played with 648 from 1969-73...

Vladimir Guerrero hit for the cycle against the Mets at Olympic Stadium on Sept. 14, 2003, completing the effort with a HR in the 7th inning.

Angels' Special Assistant Bill Stoneman threw his second career no-hitter vs. the Mets as a member of the Expos on Oct. 2, 1972 at Jarry Park (7-0 score)...

These two teams were one strike away from meeting in the 1986 World Series...With the Angels holding a 3-1 series lead in the ALCS vs. Boston, the Halos dropped the last three games of the series...In Game 5, the Angels had a 5-4 lead with two outs and two strikes on Dave Henderson in the 9th inning before his two-run home run put the Sox up 6-5...The Sox won the game 7-6 in 11 innings...The Mets beat the Astros in the 1986 NLCS in six games...

With a home run today against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, all Vladimir Guerrero has done this series is hit a homer the last two games after getting four hits in the series opener. Maicer Izturis also has two hits, including the go-ahead RBI in the seventh inning and has now hit in 11 consecutive games and 16 of his last 18.

After a slow start, Guerrero is 11-for-24 this month (.458).

Gary Matthews Jr. also is heating up. He missed Tuesday's game with what appears to have been food poisioning. But he hit a home run Wednesday and has a hit in his last eight games.

Chone Figgins' rehab from a bum hamstring appears to be nearing an end. Manager Mike Scioscia said Figgins will be evaluated after tonight's rehab game. In Scioscia-speak, that typically means the player will have one last evaluation before he is placed back on the active roster.

Shortstop Erick Aybar, out with a dislocated right pinky finger, is also nearing a return. He has already started hitting in the batting cage. When Aybar returns the Angels will have their regular infield for the first time since April 18 when Howie Kendrick went on the DL with his own hamstring issue.

Chone Figgins, out with a hamstring problem, played in a minor-league rehab game Monday and appears to be on track for a possible return by the end of the homestand. Playing for Triple-A Salt Lake, Figgins had a five-inning day, going 1-for-3 with a run scored. His hit was a single.

Figgins has played in just one game since May 3 because of separate hamstring injuries.

The Angels' game June 29 against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium will be played at 1:10 p.m. The game had been listed as TBA in case ESPN wanted to televise the contest nationally. Apparently they do not.

Chris Bootcheck came out of Sunday's defeat against the Oakland A's with a sore elbow and would appear to be going on the disabled list, but the Angels have not made an official move as of yet. Bootcheck is going to have an MRI to see if his elbow issues are serious.

In the meantime, Darren O'Day was listed as a reliever available in the bullpen. O'Day was with the Angels at the start of the season but the sidearming right-hander was eventually sent back to Triple-A Salt Lake to work on a few mechanical issues.

UPDATE: Bootcheck is officially going on the DL with a strained right forearm. O'Day was activated to take his place, but as of 6 p.m. (one hour before game time), O'Day has not shown up in the locker room. His flight was supposed to land in Orange County at 5 p.m. Perhaps baggage claim or traffic is getting the best of him.

USA Today loves Mike Scioscia, as this piece would indicate. Braves manager Bobby Cox says Scioscia is one of the best managers in the game. The Angels and Braves meet this weekend at Anaheim. Tommy Lasorda calls Scioscia a future Hall of Famer. High praise indeed.

June is barely a few days old and Joe Saunders already has nine victories thanks to his outing against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night. The left-hander is closing in on one of the best opening three months in franchise history. Saunders is now 9-2 and is the first AL starter to nine victories. Here is how he matches up with other strong Angels pitching performances before the All-Star break:

Most wins at the All-Star Break by Angels

Bill Singer (1973) 15-5
Nolan Ryan (1977) 13-8
Mark Langston (1991) 12-3
Chuck Finley (1991) 12-4
Frank Tanana (1978) 12-5
Nolan Ryan (1979) 12-6
Frank Tanana (1977) 12-6
Clyde Wright (1970) 12-6
Nolan Ryan (1974) 12-9