Up next for Angels: Saturday vs. Minnesota - Los Angeles Times
Matt Palmer vs. Nick Blackburn
Mauer hits two homers, but Twins fall to Angels - FOX Sports on MSN
"I definitely wanted to make another run at him, especially with a four-run lead. I didn't want him to get the last say, I guess," said Lackey, who was Mauer's batterymate during a postseason All-Star tour of Japan. "He's a catcher that calls a good game, and he can hit. He's the real deal. He's thinking along with you, and it's definitely a big challenge."
Twins-Angels Preview - FOX Sports on MSN
The Angels will try to make it eight straight Saturday when Matt Palmer makes his first start in nearly a month and faces the Minnesota Twins for the first time.
NBC SPORTS & COVERS.COM: Matchups, Odds, and Injuries
Team Reports - MLB at CBSSports.com
The Angels hit just 44 home runs in their first 58 games this season. Only one team in the American League (the Oakland A's) hit fewer in that stretch. After hitting three in Friday's win, the Angels have now hit 63 home runs in their past 37 games.
New pitch has Kevin Jepsen rolling - Los Angeles Times
Jepsen credited his resurgence in part to a cut fastball that pitching coach Mike Butcher helped him develop about three weeks ago by adjusting his grip.
Mosebach joins the Angels bullpen - angelsbaseball.com
Bobby Mosebach, a hard-throwing right-hander wearing No. 60, is the newest member of Scioscia's bullpen. Mosebach, who began his professional career in 2005 as a starting pitcher and has been converted into a reliever, was taken by the Phillies in the winter Rule 5 Draft for $50,000. The Angels accepted him back for $25,000. He has been pitching effectively at Salt Lake with a 2-1 record and 2.78 ERA in 17 appearances, striking out 15 hitters and walking 10 in 22 2/3 innings.
Angels Interested in Kazmir - FOX Sports on MSN
The Angels are indeed interested in Rays left-hander Scott Kazmir, apparently thanks to the input from pitching coach Mike Butcher, who previously held the same position with the Rays. However, Kazmir hardly seems like a reasonable alternative to Blue Jays right-hander Roy Halladay or Indians lefty Cliff Lee, both of whom also are drawing the Angels' interest.
Long balls continue Angels' win streak - angelsbaseball.com
Robb Quinlan, Jeff Mathis and Mike Napoli unloaded homers for the Angels, Napoli's three-run blast in the sixth inning giving John Lackey breathing room en route to a 6-3 victory in front of 39,272 at Angel Stadium.
Working the count -- The Hardball Times
Abreu, like Zobrist, is stingy with his swings. This year, he’s offering at just 34 percent of all pitches, which is the second lowest rate in the game.
HOFFARTH: 40 years ago, Goossen got on crazy trip with Seattle Pilots - LA Daily News
On the slightly tattered Topps baseball card, Greg Goossen is in a light blue Seattle Pilots uniform, positioned for the camera with his first baseman's glove open and stretched out waiting for a throw.
Not Angels related, but a cool story none-the-less.
July 25 - BR Bullpen
Events, births and deaths that occurred on July 25.
1992 - Angels' rookie P Tim Fortugno defeats the Tigers, 3-0, becoming, at age 30, the oldest pitcher to win his 1st major league game since Tony Fossas of the Brewers did so at age 31 in 1989.
0 recs | 8 comments
Kazmir no Wuertz yes? mlbtr:
Mark Saxon at the O.C. Register reports that there have been no discussions in team meetings to pursue Scott Kazmir from the Rays. This conflicts with earlier reports that the Rays were scouting the Angels’ farm teams and that Kazmir’s name was indeed of interest, with goading from pitching coach Mike Butcher.
Saxon says GM Tony Reagins still has his sights set on a frontline starter, a la Roy Halladay or Cliff Lee, and a reliable setup man. Saxon also speculates that the Angels could have interest in some of the Rays’ relievers, including J.P. Howell, Randy Choate and Grant Balfour.
Susan Slusser at the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Angels are “prepared to make a strong bid” for RHP Michael Wuertz’s services. That strong bid could begin with infielder Sean Rodriguez.
However, it’s unclear if the A’s would be willing to trade Wuertz within the division—Wuertz is under team control for two more years.
Fred Fredrix - July 25, 2009
Beane will pull the trigger if he likes the return
hauldog - July 25, 2009
Could we get Kazmir and resign Lackey???
This would allow us to bolster our starting five while not losing our top of the line starter.
It seems to me that the reason to target Halladay or Lee is that we are sure we are losing Lackey at the end of the year. If we can keep Lackey (is he really going to cost more than Halladay???) and pick up Kazmir I think that helps us tremendously.
That gives us Lackey, Kazmir, Weaver, Saunders/Santana, and one of the stories (Palmer, O’Sullivan, etc) in the lineup. I think that is a pretty good set.
What would it take to get Kazmir??
matthiasstephan - July 25, 2009
Thats great about Mosenbach...
I saw him pitch earlier this year and he was rock-solid. I think he could be a great addition to the ’pen.
BryanHarvey'sMoustache - July 25, 2009
I saw him throw in Salt Lake.
He hit 101 mph that night, and he was very very good.
opiejeanne - July 25, 2009
Good article...
On Goossen. Ball Four is a great book, and it must be cool to be immortalized in the book.
Slasher52 - July 25, 2009
I find it amazing that most of the responses...
to the poll have never heard of “Ball Four”. I think it’s my favorite baseball book of all time.
WiHaloFan - July 25, 2009
Seriously!
wth, people? Its not just a great baseball book, its easily in my top ten books all-time. Its re-readable as hell.
HaloDutch - July 26, 2009
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