INSIDE PITCH
Mathematically, the Angels have not been eliminated from the playoff picture yet. But realistically, they’re doing a pretty good job of knocking themselves out of it.
Errors led to all the Blue Jays’ runs Monday—including the game-winner in the 10th inning—as the Angels lost 3-2 in Toronto. The defeat was Los Angeles’ third in the past four games. With the first-place Texas Rangers idle and the wild-card leading Boston Red Sox splitting a doubleheader against Baltimore, the Angels had a prime opportunity to pick up ground in both races with a win over the Blue Jays. Instead, they fell to 4 1/2 games out in the wild-card race, five games out in the AL West—their largest divisional deficit since Aug. 20.
“It’s been desperate for me since August. I’ve been hungry since August,” Angels right fielder Torii Hunter(notes) said when asked if the team had reached desperate times with just nine games left to play. “Today, we really wanted to win and pick up that half-game.
“All is not lost. We just need to be within three (of the Rangers) by Monday. We better step our game up if we want it.”
The defense cracked Monday. However, the Angels will need to reverse a recent slide by the offense if they are going to make the final three games of the season (at home against the Rangers) meaningful.
Monday’s loss was the 49th time this season the Angels have been held to two runs or fewer. They have hit .173 (9-for-52) with runners in scoring position over their past eight games. Most costly Monday, they failed to score a runner from third base with less than two outs in the 10th inning.
“We talk about what’s going to win games, and when you’re facing good pitching, you’re going to have to execute,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “We needed to move the ball there, and we didn’t get it done.”
NOTES, QUOTES
• SS Erick Aybar(notes) was selected AL co-Player of the Week along with Tigers RHP Justin Verlander(notes) for the week that ended with Aybar’s career day in Baltimore on Sunday. Aybar was 10-for-22 (.454) last week with four doubles, three home runs, five RBI and eight runs.
• Aybar set or matched career highs in hits (four), RBI (four), home runs (two) and runs (five) in Sunday’s game. The five runs tied Tim Salmon’s franchise record, set in April 1998, but Salmon only drove in two runs in that game. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Aybar was the first major-leaguer to have at least four RBI and five runs in the same game since Nationals OF Josh Willingham(notes) had six RBI and five runs on Aug. 25, 2009, at Wrigley Field.
• Going into Monday’s game, Aybar had reached base safely in 30 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the AL and the third-longest current streak in the majors (behind Albert Pujols’(notes) 34 and Starlin Castro’s(notes) 31).
• OF Mike Trout(notes) has started against most left-handed pitchers since his recall from Class AA on Aug. 19, but he was not in the lineup Monday against Blue Jays LHP Ricky Romero(notes). Trout is still recovering from fouling a ball off his left leg during Saturday’s game in Baltimore. Manager Mike Scioscia said he expects Trout to be in the lineup Tuesday when the Jays start another left-hander, Brett Cecil(notes).
• DH Bobby Abreu(notes) started against Toronto LHP Ricky Romero on Monday, and he finished 1-for-4. It was Abreu’s first start against a left-handed pitcher since Aug. 26 vs. Texas’ Derek Holland(notes). Abreu had been on the bench for the Angels’ previous 10 games against left-handed starters and 13 of the previous 14.
By The Numbers: 12-11—The Angels’ record since they went to Texas for a three-game series in late August.
Quote To Note: “At this point, we need help. Obviously we’re not in range for those final three games against Texas to be meaningful. The bottom line is we have to win games. Any route you’re talking about that has us making the playoffs has us winning games, doesn’t it?”—Angels manager Mike Scioscia, on his team’s status in both the AL West and wild-card races.
ROSTER REPORT
Medical Watch:
• OF Mike Trout (sore left leg) was hurt Sept. 17. He didn’t play Sept. 18-19, but he is expected to start Sept. 20.
• RHP Francisco Rodriguez (right shoulder inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 10, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on Aug. 10. He will treat the problem with rest and rehab.
• 1B Kendrys Morales(notes) (fractured left ankle) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 22. He was never able to progress to running the bases in workouts, let alone playing in games during spring training or on a rehab assignment. He had a second surgery on his ankle May 26 to address continued discomfort and lack of mobility. Morales, who was transferred to the 60-day DL on July 20, will not play until the 2012 season.
Rotation:
RHP Jered Weaver(notes)
RHP Dan Haren(notes)
RHP Ervin Santana(notes)
RHP Joel Pineiro(notes)
RHP Jerome Williams(notes)
Bullpen:
RHP Jordan Walden(notes) (closer)
LHP Scott Downs(notes)
RHP Fernando Rodney(notes)
LHP Hisanori Takahashi(notes)
RHP Rich Thompson(notes)
RHP Bobby Cassevah(notes)
LHP Horacio Ramirez(notes)
RHP Trevor Bell(notes)
RHP Garrett Richards(notes)
RHP Tyler Chatwood(notes)
Catchers:
Bobby Wilson(notes)
Jeff Mathis(notes)
Hank Conger(notes)
Infielders:
1B Mark Trumbo(notes)
2B Howie Kendrick(notes)
SS Erick Aybar
3B Alberto Callaspo(notes)
INF Maicer Izturis(notes)
INF Russell Branyan(notes)
INF Andrew Romine(notes)
INF Efren Navarro(notes)
INF Gil Velazquez(notes)
INF Alexi Amarista(notes)
Outfielders:
LF Vernon Wells(notes)
CF Peter Bourjos(notes)
RF Torii Hunter
DH Bobby Abreu
OF Mike Trout
OF Jeremy Moore(notes)