Halo Hotline

Prayers Answered? Jeff Weaver to be DFA’d

The OC Register is reporting that the Angels are going to DFA (Designate For Assignment) Jeff Weaver. Recalled, in his place, will be his brother Jered Weaver. This will clear a roster spot and give them ten days to trade him before they are forced to eat the remaining $4MM that he is owed for this season.

Angels Continue To Fail

: 6R, 7H, 1E
: 2R, 10H, 1E

This Angels team continues to struggle, and they continue to make their opponents look like world champion teams. Ervin Santana had a stellar outing, pitching 7 strong innings, giving up only 2R, 2ER, 4H, 4BB, 6K. Sounds like a winning line, but, no, it didn't happen. Last night the blow came from Scot Shields (L, 4-5), who managed, somehow, to give up 3H, 4R, 4ER, 3BB, 1K, with all of the runs scoring with 2-out. JC Romero finished it off with a perfectly clean slate, 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 0K.

Even with that damage, you say, well, with 10-hits the Halos should've done better, and, yes, they should've. I've always been a Tim Salmon fan, but, last night his 0-3, 1BB, 1K performance in which he left 5 runners in scoring position with 2-out and 6 total on base was unacceptable. Those runs, alone, could've negated the damage done by Shields' poor outing. Kennedy left one in scoring postion, too, as did Napoli. Cumulatively the players left 19 on base, 12 as a team. That is completly unacceptable, no matter how bad the pitching was in the 8th inning, the offense was MUCH worse. To score only 2 runs on 10 hits is anemic, to say the least. The only up-side, offensively, other than the 10-hits, was that Cabrerra extended his streak by one more game (56).

The Angels have a very necessary day off today as they prepare to host the Dodgers this weekend. In other news, Figgins, Anderson, and Morales didn't start on Wednesday, with Kendry pinch hitting for Quinlan and staying in the game in the 8th.

Weaver Is Beat Up, Angels Get Blown Out

: 12R, 18H, 0E
: 4R, 10H, 2E

In what can only be called a blow out, Jeff Weaver (L, 3-10) could only manage to last 2+ IP and gave up 6R, 6ER, 9H, 0BB, 1K. That kind of performance from the starter that the Angels picked up to be the number five guy who could go long into ballgames and keep the team close in completely unacceptable. The team has tried to deal him without success, going so far, it is rumored, as to offer him to Tampa Bay as part of a deal in which the Angels would carry the majority of his salary. If you're so desperate, as a team, as to offer to pay someone to take a player, just DFA (designate for assignment) him, put him on the waiver wire, and let someone else take him. His career has been in decline over the last several seasons and his performances with the other team in LA were more likely results of playing on a team that could hit and get runs across the plate than any pitching performance from Weaver. Bill Stoneman has made some mistakes in his tenure, but, I think, this acquisition of Weaver as a substitute for either Byrd (6-5, 4.37, $7MM, CLE) or Washburn (4-8, 4.91, $7.45MM, SEA), take your pick, has got to be his worst ever; and that's when comparing it to the loss of Molina, the loss of Eckstein, his failure to acquire a bat in the off-season, etc.... To make it even worse, Weaver had the following to say about his start, "I don't feel too bad about my stuff tonight." Is he out of his mind? He goes on to say, "...I'm good at putting things behind me and I look forward to my next start." Well, let's hope, for the sake of the Angels' chances to win the division, that it isn't with the Halos. Mopping up for the Angels fell upon a bullpen that isn't in the greatest form either. Kevin Gregg pitched 3IP, giving up 6H, 5R, 2ER, 1BB, 6K, that is a pretty good outing for him and those 6K in 3IP is very good. Next into the fire went Hector Carrasco, who took the bump for 2 innings, giving up 2H, 1R, 1ER, 4BB, 2K; that is unacceptable, the team might have been down, but there is no excuse for giving up and tossing BP. Brendan Donnelly who tossed 1 inning, gave up 1 hit, and got 2K; it would seem, in his last couple of starts, that he's beginning to return to form. JC Romero was next, pitching 1 inning and keeping a clean slate but for 1BB and 1K.

On the offensive side of the scoresheet the Angels went a combined 10-36 (.278), scored 4R, and, all in all, didn't look as bad as they have in the past. Orlando Cabrerra (2-2, 1R) extended his streak of reaching base safely to 55 games. That ties Jim Thome's streak from '02 and is the 4th longest in MLB since 1960. In that time, Barry Bonds, is the leader, with 58.

In other notes, Garret Anderson, who's only 2H shy of 2,000, was a late scratch from the line-up with back pain issues again.

Angels Win In Dramatic Fashion

: 4R, 5H, 0E
: 5R, 8H, 1E

In what might end up being the most important game of the year, at least it is the most important so far this season, the Angels managed a victory over the Colorado Rockies last night. It was a cruicial game because the team showed what they are made of, they looked like the Angels teams of years past, a team that wouldn't quit; quite different from the team that was taking the field wearing those same uniforms just a few days ago that would quit when down by a couple of runs. That didn't happen last night as John Lackey (W, 5-5) got his first win since May 23rd. Thus far in the season the Halos have been 3-33 when trailing after seven, however, last night they didn't quit, and, when trailing 3-0, put five HUGE runs on the board in the bottom of the 8th.

"I think the way we won was almost more important than the win," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "We have not played to our capabilities this season. We know what we have to do to turn this season around." - via latimes.com

It started out good for the Rockies, with a 2-run shot in the top of the 1st inning by Todd Helton, however, then Lackey stablized until the 6th when he gave up one more run, however, that would be all the runs that the Rockies would get from John. He went a great 8IP, 4H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 4K, 1HR, 107P-67S to lower his season ERA to 3.31. Frankie Rodriguez (S, 19) pitched the 9th, and, in true K-Rod fashion, made it exciting, giving up a solo shot to Jorge Piedra who's 2-17 with 2HR this season.

Offensively the team struggled until the 8th, with the Colorado starter, Jason Jennings (ND), tossing a 4-hit appearance over seven innings giving up just 2 runs; the first hit for the Halos coming in the 5th. Jose Mesa (L, 0-2, BS, 4) got his fourth blown save of the season, managing only 1-out and giving up 3-runs as well as letting the 2 inherited runners score. The 8th was good for the Angels, with the team doing what it needed to do, there was clutch hitting, plate discipline, and, hustle on the basepaths. On the downside, however, Vlad and Garret are still slumping, going 0-4 and 0-3 (1BB, 2K) respectively. In addition, the team managed to strand a combined 11, 6 as a team, and 4 in scoring position with 2-out. Juan Rivera had a clutch at-bat in the 8th, when, with runners at the corners and a 3-0 count, he drove a shot along the ground between third and short to drive in what ended up being the winning run. The stud of the game, however, was again, Mike Napoli (1-3, 2RBI, 1BB, 1K) who, with a long double in that same 8th inning drove in the tying and go-ahead runs after the Rockies had intentionally walked GA.

In all, this game should serve as a turning point, an example, if you will, for the team that they should NEVER give up a game. This is baseball, anything can happen. Scioscia said it best, in the quote above from the LA Times.

In other news, Darin Erstad, it is being reported, went back to Nebraska to have the Cornhusker's medical staff take a look at his injured right ankle. Erstad played baseball and football for the 'Huskers and was hoping for a better diagnosis, however, he got the same bad news; arthritis and lost mobility. His return to the roster is currently undecided. His relutcance to have surgery is understandable, he will be a free agent after this season and would need to perform well, and be healthy, to get a good deal in the off season.

Tonight's match up, a 7:05 PT affair, sees Jeff Weaver (3-9. 5.82) taking the hill to face Aaron Cook (5-7, 3.46). The game will be carried on FSN West, 710 ESPN, and 830 AM (Sp.).

Angels Host Rockies

Tonight's game sees the 38-37 Rockies facing the 34-41 Angels. The Rockies are on a 2-game win streak and are 5-5 in their last 10 games. In addition, their starter tonight, Jason Jennings (6-6, 4.02) is shooting for his fourth straight winning start. Hurling for the Halos will be John Lackey (4-5, 3.31) who is only 1-9 in his last 10 starts. The Angels are also 5-5 in their last 10, and are coming off a disappointing loss to the D-Backs yesterday. The game will be carrie on KCOP-13, ESPN 710, and 830 AM (Sp.).

Angels Can’t Put D-Backs Away

Angels: 7R, 8H, 1E
D-Backs: 9R, 12H, 0E

In a streak where pitching has been carrying the team and the offense has been suffering, the opposite held true yesterday afternoon in the desert heat of Phoenix, AZ. The Angels hit a combined .258 (8-31) and slugged .452, but their starting pitching just couldn't keep the team in the game. It was, however, positive to see the team not quit, to continue to try to stay in the game.

Kelvim Escobar (L, 5-9), only lasted 4.2IP, giving up 9H, 8ER, 5BB, 4K, 1HR. This is a guy who'd been pitching exceptionally well and just not getting any run support over his last six starts (all losses). JC Romero had a strong 1.1IP, giving up just 2H and 1BB. Finally, Kevin Gregg tossed the last 2IP, dropping 1R on 1H, 1BB, 2K.

Offensively, the team looked good, despite the 13-inning win from last night. Tommy Murphy, starting in CF, went 1-3 with 2RBI and a successful suicide squeeze bunt to get Tim Salmon home. Salmon started in LF for only the 3rd time in his career, and looked sharp but will probably need a few days to recover; he went 1-2 with 2R and 2BB. Chone Figgins, PH for Jose Molina in the 7th, came to the plate and trippled, his 3rd of the season, into RF. Mike Napoli then hit in the pitcher's spot and got Figgins across the plate with a ground ball. In addition to that excitement, Kendry Morales hit another HR, his fourth, in the 6th inning. Orlando Cabrerra matched the longest on base streak in the majors since 2004, a mark held by Alex Rodriguez.

The Halos, however, just couldn't quite get over on the Snakes. The loss, too, couldn't have happened on a worse day, only the Rangers lost also in the AL West so the Angels sunk another game into the cellar behind the A's and the Mariners.

Angels Take 2nd Game from Diamondbacks

This is the follow-up I promised in the last post.

Angels: 6R, 12H, 0E
D-Backs: 4R, 10H, 1E

Bartolo Colon is still winless in five starts with the Halos this year. There is no reason he shouldn't be back on the DL and getting himself into shape. He's just another pitcher that has had a season ruined because of the WBC where he pitched more innings than anyone else on the Dominican team (14IP, 13H, 1R, 1ER, 2BB, 7K). Bart lasted a mere 5.2IP, giving up 9H, 4R, 4ER, 2BB, 4K, 2HR on 90 pitches, that is not an outing that will win him another Cy Young.

"The ball wasn't coming out of his hand as well as it was in the bullpen," Scioscia said. "He battled and kept us in the ballgame but he wasn't as sharp as he could have been." - via angelsbaseball.com

The rest of the pitching staff bailed Colon out, however. JC Romero got the Angels out of the 6th with a 6 pitch, 1K appearance. Hector Carrasco pitched 2 inning giving up just 1BB and getting 2K. Scot Shields then came in to pitch 2IP giving up 1H, 1BB, 5K, striking out the side in 10th. Brendan "Donkey" Donnelly (W, 1-0) pitched the 11th and the 12th, 17 pitches, 12 strikes, only allowing one ball out of the infield, the third out of the 12th on a deep fly ball to CF. Frankie Rodriguez (S, 18) pitched the 13th, tossing a meager 9 pitches, getting 1K, 1 pop-out, and 1 ground ball.

Donnelly, who, it was reported earlier, was looking for a trade and unhappy with his use by the Angels this year, had the following to say after the game. It seems that he has been frustrated and is getting things together and coming around.
"I'm just kinda the bridge, I guess, but I think the bullpen is coming into shape not just for the bullpen but for the team," Donnelly said. "To lose a game like this, that can send a team into a tailspin but to win the game, that can do the opposite and I think that is what the game was tonight." - via angelsbaseball.com

Offensively the Halos struggled again, leaving a combined 21 on base, 10 as a team, but, only 5 runners left in scoring position with two outs (RISP/2O). Orlando Cabrerra extended his on-base streak to 52 games, pulling ever closer to Ted Williams. Mike Napoli, however, didn't manage to reach base in 12 consecutive plate appearances, so, he ended up one short of the Angels record. Rob Quinlan, pich hitting in the 13th for Donnelly, came up huge, though, hitting a 2-out, 2-run shot over the wall in left field, a shot that turned out to be the game winner. Other offensive highlights were a pich-hit triple by Tim "King Fish" Salmon into the gap in right center and four doubles. The team hit a combined .240 (12-50) and slugged .420; they did, however, only accrue 3BB and managed 10K, they still need to be more patient in the box. Guys like Vlad (1-6, 2K) and GA (1-6, 2K) need to step up. The team tends to follow their performance.

Today's "get-away-day" game is at 1:40 PT and features Kelvim Escobar (5-8, 3.54) on the bump for the Halos. He'll be facing Miguel Batista (6-5, 5.02) who's hurling for the D-Backs. The game is on KCOP 13, ESPN 710, and 830 AM (en Español).

Halos Win In Extras

Angels:  6R, 12H, 0E
D-Backs:  4R, 10H, 1E

In an emotional come from behind victory, the Halos looked good at the plate.  It was a long 13 inning game so more details tomorrow, however, hopefully Juan Rivera didn't get hurt too badly when he got hit in the 7th.

D-Mac Back To The DL

The Angels have again placed Dallas McPherson on the 15-day DL. Erick Aybar was recalled from AAA Salt Lake to take D-Mac's place on the 25-man roster. This is beginning to get old. Back spasms have caused this most recent Dl-ing. This isn't the type of performance anyone expected from the guy ranked the number three and then number two prospect in the minors in 2004/5. It seems VERY "odd" that he is suffering from this level of physical breakdowns as often as he does after having such a great minor league career I hope, for his sake, that this isn't a side effect of any performance supplements.

Angels Take First Game From D-Backs

Angels: 8R, 10H, 0E
D-Backs: 2R, 10H, 0E

Mike Napoli (8) crushed a ball an estimated 470' into the 2nd deck of Chase field in the 3rd inning, Orlando Cabrerra (5) had also hit one out in the 2nd, Vlad Guerrero would've had his seventeenth except for a fan trying to save his kid and interfering with the play (in the umpire's judgement). It would seem that this is just what the Angels needed to bust out of their offensive slump, with the team batting around in the first inning to start off the game to get a nice head start for Ervin Santana (W, 8-3, 4.03). The team went on to hit a combined .265 (9-34). They still stranded a ton of folks on base (14), 7 as a team, and 4 RISP/2O, however, in a national league park, with pitchers having to hit, that is not as bad as it seems.

Speaking of pitchers, Santana tossed a good game, going 6IP, 7H, 2R, 2ER, 6BB, 2K, 1HR. It is troubling that he walked six in six innings, however, his defense kept him in the game, as did his clutch pitching. JC Romero tossed the 7th giving up only a hit and getting a strikeout. Brendan Donnelly came in for the 8th and gave up a hit; finally, Kevin Gregg tossed the 9th, gave up one hit and got 2K.

It's important that the Angels take the momentum of this game and channel it into the next game, and the next, and the next. In the next game Bartolo Colon (0-3, 5.57) will be making his second start since coming back off of the DL. He'll be facing Caludio Vargas (6-4, 5.02) who's taking the bump for the D-Backs. The game is a 6:40 PT affair and will be carried on KCOP 13 here in SoCal, as well as on the standard radio networks (ESPN 710, 830 AM).

In other notes the team put Darrin Erstad on the 15-day DL again with the bone spur problem and recalled Tommy Murphy from AAA Salt Lake. Ersty just needs to bite the bullet, get the surgery, spend the rest of the season rehabing and then pull a Timmy Salmon deal for next season. Dallas McPherson was dropped from yesterday's line-up due to back spasms during BP.