Halos Heaven

Santana helps shut down White Sox -  Sporting News
Ervin Santana pitched seven solid inning, Juan Rivera hit a two-run homer and the Los Angeles Angels held on to beat the struggling Chicago White Sox 6-5 on Thursday night. After watching his fellow relievers give up four runs in the eighth inning, Fuentes pitched a perfect ninth for his sixth save in eight opportunities. "I'm always ready to come into the game, because things can change in hurry," Fuentes said. Kendry Morales had three hits and drove in two runs for the Angels who have won five of seven. But the Angels escaped after nearly blowing a big lead. Santana (3-3) didn't have any problems with the White Sox, who came into the game with the worst batting average in baseball at .230. He allowed one unearned run on seven hits. He struck out six and pitched around three walks. "I never lost my focus today," Santana said. "I concentrated a lot more than before. I was trying to make it simple and keep the ball down, because I know the ball carries here and they have great power hitters." Jake Peavy (3-3) was tagged for six runs and eight hits. He struck out eight and walked two.

Player quotes often confuse me.  Santana says he concentrated a lot more.  Does that mean sometimes he's out on the mound thinking about the previous night's episode of "Lost"?  Or what he's going to have for dinner instead of, I don't know, maybe what pitch to throw?  And I love Fuentes' quote, "I'm always ready to come into the game, because things can change in hurry".  I'm sure he's talking about things changing before he gets in the game, but I read it as how things can change after he comes into the game and starts walking guys, or throwing pitches to the screen.   How about this highlight - Rivera blasts a two-run shot - Juan Rivera smashes a two-run shot to extend the Angels' lead in the top of the sixth inning

Angels-Cardinals Preview - 5/21/10 - FOX Sports on MSN
Now pitching for the Los Angeles Angels, Pineiro will kick off interleague play by facing his former team Friday night in St. Louis, where Penny looks to bounce back from his worst start of 2010. He's been living up to that contract lately, tossing 15 1-3 shutout innings in his last two starts. Pineiro pitched a four-hitter in a 4-0 win over Oakland on Sunday for his first shutout with the Angels. "I was getting ahead in the count and was able to get a lot of groundball outs," Pineiro said. "Everybody knows the sinker is my pitch. So if I keep it down, hopefully it's going to get good results." Penny, like Pineiro a 31-year-old, made an unsuccessful foray into the AL last year, posting a 5.61 ERA in 24 starts with Boston after his 2008 season had been cut short by shoulder problems. He finished the year by pitching well for San Francisco, however, then signed with St. Louis. Although he has lost four straight outings, Penny (3-4, 2.73) began the year with seven consecutive quality starts before allowing seven runs and 13 hits in five innings of a 7-2 loss at Cincinnati on Sunday.

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More on cruising through 'Lasordapalooza' - Farther Off the Wall
Some more on the Lasordapalooza display at the Pomona Public Library that we visited in today's column, and included a winning art entry by Greg Jezewski of Los Angeles -- Tommy Lasorda kneeling at the gates of heaven being denied entrance and sent to a fiery resolution.  Because God is a Giants' fan.

All I can say is, "WTF?"

May 21 - BR Bullpen
1992 - Four members of the California Angels, including manager Buck Rodgers, are hospitalized after the bus carrying the team swerves into a row of trees off the New Jersey Turnpike. Rodgers, the most seriously injured, incurs a broken right rib, left knee and right elbow. John Wathan takes over the team as interim manager.
Happy b-day:
1901 - Mule Shirley, infielder (d. 1955) Was also a famous "entertainer" in Tijuana
1926 - Elmer Sexauer, pitcher  Too easy
1981 - Josh Hamilton, outfielder; All-Star Hey everyone, drinks are on Josh!

Yay team: