Rangers can't find their way home in 2-1 loss to Angels - Dallas Morning News
Weaver (8-3) struck out six and walked two in lowering his ERA to 1.70 in eight home starts. His 124 strikeouts lead the AL, and he has 28 in his last three starts while allowing just three walks. "He should be an All-Star," Hunter said. Angels manager Mike Scioscia added, "If he's not, something's wrong. "He has no fear on the mound. He's going to execute a pitch and live with the consequences." The right-hander proved the most effective Angels pitcher in the series against Guerrero, keeping him hitless in three at-bats with a walk Thursday. The former Angel went 6 for 8 with three home runs, including a grand slam, and eight RBI in the first two games. Weaver also contained Josh Hamilton, whose career-high 23-game hitting streak ended with an 0 for 3 performance that included an intentional walk. Weaver retired 10 in a row during one stretch. Rodney intentionally walked Hamilton to load the bases before Nelson Cruz popped to second to end the threat. During Cruz's at-bat, Rodney threw a 2-2 pitch over Mathis' head to the backstop, but he played the carom quickly and Michael Young had to stay at third. "Because it was a fastball, I wasn't able to get that far off the bag in the first place," Young said. "From third base, you don't really have the luxury of seeing which direction it kicks — unless it kicks right back to you. And from my angle, I thought it kicked right back to Mathis. If I had an easy read, I would have been gone. But it was a tough read."
I was curious as to why Young didn't try to score on the wild pitch in the 8th. In m y opinion, he could have easily scored the tying run, but decided to stay on third base. As the above quote states, luckily he didn't have a good angle on where the ball went. Video highlight: Weaver hurls seven shutout frames - Jered Weaver strikes out six Rangers over seven shutout innings, Napoli smacks an RBI double to left field - Mike Napoli extends the Angels' lead with an RBI double to left field, Hunter makes inning-ending grab at wall - Torii Hunter makes an inning-ending grab at the wall, taking a hit away from Justin Smoak, Angels miss turning two - Vladimir Guerrero grounds into an apparent double play but Ian Kinsler is called safe at second (interesting time to stop calling the "vicinity play", but that call was far from the worst call in baseball...check this one out: Twins' tag play - A controversial safe call on a tag play at third in the 10th inning leads to the ejection of Twins manager Ron Gardenhire)
Angels - Royals Series Preview: Don't Believe The Hype - Royals Review
Defensively, UZR has rated the Angels fairly harshly. Again, if you just look at the names on the roster, this wouldn't surprise you. However thanks to a Supreme Court decision in 2001, we're not allowed to talk about anything relating to the Twins or Angels objectively. So just lie back and listen to how awesome they are defensively. The fat dude who got injured (not listed) celebrating a home run was apparently one of their better defenders.
Those plucky Royals fans, trying to talk trash about the Angels. Go back to writing about how you hate your front office.
Royals-Angels Preview - FOX Sports on MSN
The Angels look to continue their solid home play in the opener of a weekend set against the Kansas City Royals on Friday night. Joe Saunders (6-8, 4.88 ERA) looks to build on his last outing and remain perfect against the Royals. The left-hander avoided a third straight loss after he allowed two runs, four hits and struck out a season-high eight in seven innings of a 4-2 home win over Colorado on Saturday. Saunders is just 2-6 with a 6.18 ERA in nine home starts. Kyle Davies (4-6, 6.06) looks to avoid a fourth consecutive loss as he takes the ball for the Royals. The right-hander allowed five runs in seven innings of a 5-3 loss to St. Louis on Saturday to finish June 0-3 with an 8.64 ERA in five starts.
Torii Hunter at Mid-Contract: Angels Money Well Spent? - Mat Gleason - SB Nation Los Angeles
The Torii Hunter signing is the peak accomplishment of Tony Reagins' tenure as Angels General Manager. It was a tacit admission of the mistaken Gary Matthews Jr signing the season before. Many a franchise goes into denial that a sunk cost is going to turn around. Reagins did not. The lore of the signing - it took place at a secret meeting with Torii's agent at a Del Taco in Corona, 30 miles east of Anaheim, no offense to Coronans, but it is the middle of nowhere. And halfway thru a burrito and an iced tea, in a plastic booth, Tony Reagins committed to the biggest contract in franchise history.
Rev Halofan writes about Torii Hunter for the SBN regional site.
Angels owner Arte Moreno: 'We get to showcase our stadium, fans and environment' - Terry Lefton, SportsBusiness Journal
SBJ: What does a person who is a marketer by trade bring to team ownership that another owner might not?
AM: It's about knowing your customers' needs and wants beyond winning. A marketer does the research on what his customers' needs and wants are and is flexible to changing those. It's important to do the research first. The toughest thing in problem solving is understanding the problem, so we hire independent researchers to assess what our brand awareness is and what they like and don't like. That's ongoing. Still, technology makes it relatively easy to gather information. The question is whether you are flexible enough to adjust to what you've learned. ... You have to listen, also. A lot of times businesses get to the place where they feel entitled instead of saying, "You are always welcome."
I don't think I've ever read an interview with Arte Moreno that wasn't interesting...including this one.
Speaking of Scott Kazmir's slider … - latimes.com
Kazmir, who has relied almost exclusively on his fastball and changeup, said his slider felt great in the bullpen Wednesday, but he threw "only about five of them" in the game. This has been a common theme; the slider feels great in the bullpen, but not in the game. "Some of the issues that have plagued Scott," Scioscia said, "have been a little redundant."
That quote from Scioscia is probably the most negative quote I've ever heard him say about one of his players. "Redundant". He must really be pissed. Next he'll be calling Brandon Wood "obtuse".
Guerrero has happy return to Angel Stadium against former team - CBSSports.com Baseball
Guerrero was available because the Angels, given his age (35) and bad knees, were not comfortable offering more than one year when his contract expired following the 2009 season. Guerrero was looking for more but wound up signing with the Rangers for one year and $6.5 million, plus a mutual player and club option for 2011. By the time he signed with the Rangers, the Angels had long since moved on to Hideki Matsui. That's their style during the winter. They move fast and don't waste time. They zero in on who they want, come on strong and essentially attach a deadline. If the player doesn't move, the Angels move on. They did it with CC Sabathia (who signed with the Yankees) and Mark Teixeira (also the Yankees).
I wish I knew how far apart the Angels and Guerrero were this last off season (not rumored, but the "real" story). I do know Guerrero wanted more than $6.5M from the Halos, but how much were the Angels offering?
Rangers may go up for auction, MLB president confirms - Dallas Business Journal
The Texas bankruptcy court-appointed chief restructuring officer has decided an auction of the Texas Rangers should occur, multiple sources tell SportsBusiness Journal. The development emerges, and fits into, earlier news that the spurned bidders for the ballclub have been invited to a mediation session Tuesday with the club and its angry creditors. The sources said the CRO, William Snyder, has already informed Major League Baseball President and COO Bob DuPuy and said league approval will not be a criteria for deciding the best bid. DuPuy confirmed there may be an auction coming for the Rangers, but said if it transpires, MLB would retain its traditional role of being able to approve a bidder. "No one has suggested that any auction occur that in any way obviates MLB's clear and unambiguous right to approve or disapprove any ownership candidate," he wrote in an e-mail. "There has been absolutely no discussion of that with either of the judges involved or the CRO." The CRO, or chief restructuring officer, last week was appointed by the federal bankruptcy court overseeing the team’s bankruptcy, and this week informed DuPuy of his decision that a new auction of the team was necessary. Sources said that when the CRO, William Snyder, met in person with DuPuy on Monday, he communicated that MLB approval would not be a criteria for choosing a winner. One source said what that means is for the premises of the auction, the CRO will assume all parties that were pre-approved to submit bids last year can be approved by the league.
To me, besides the race in the A.L. west, this is the most interesting thing happening in baseball right now. It's also the one thing that has the potential of changing baseball from this point forward. In the above paragraph, Bob DuPuy mentions that baseball will still have the ability to approve the new ownership. This is based on baseball's anti-trust exemption. However, the CRO told DuPuy that baseball's approval was not necessary. If MLB decides to fight for ownership approval, something they might feel they have to do if an "undesirable" owner ends up buying the Rangers (Mark Cuban), they could potentially put their anti-trust exemption status at risk. This could get REAL interesting.
D-Backs dismiss GM Josh Byrnes and manager A.J. Hinch - MLB - SI.com
The Arizona Diamondbacks fired manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Josh Byrnes on Thursday night in a shakeup at the top of a team cemented in last place in the NL West for the second year in a row. Diamondbacks bench coach and ex-major league slugger Kirk Gibson will take over as interim manager for a ballclub that was 31-48, 15 1/2 games back of San Diego entering Thursday's games.
Another one (or two) bites the dust.
July 2 - BR Bullpen
1963 - In one of baseball's most memorable pitching duels, the Giants' Juan Marichal and the Braves' Warren Spahn both hurl 15 scoreless innings before Willie Mays ends the marathon with a homer off Spahnie in the bottom of the 16th giving San Francisco a 1- 0 win.
1980 - Chicago's Ross Baumgarten allows only a 7th-inning single to Rod Carew en route to a one-hit 1 - 0 shutout of the Angels. Baumgarten will finish the season 2-12. It's not like the Angels got beat by a crappy pitcher, he did beat one other team.
Happy b-day:
1964 - Jose Canseco, outfielder; All-Star How does Jose Canseco celebrate his birthday??
R.I.P.:
1929 - Buck Hooker, pitcher (b. 1880) Even the hookers were cheaper back in the olden days.
Dream on Texas, Weaver's on the hill:
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| Game Information |
| Attendance - 41162 |
| Game Time - 2:55 |
| Temperature - 74 |
| Umpires - Home - Bill Hohn, First Base - Gary Darling, Second Base - Bruce Dreckman, Third Base - Paul Emmel |
0 recs | 42 comments
That call in the Twins game
is seriously probably the worst I have ever seen. The one that screwed us over in the postseason at least had the umpire being forced to watch two runners. The call that ruined the perfect game was at least a a semi-close play.
But this Marquez guy whom I’ve never liked as an ump is literally 15 feet looking directly at the play. When the ball beats the runner by that much you have to be 100% sure the tag didn’t happen to call the guy safe, and he even started to call him out but then as Shoppach sold his acting job, the freaking idiot Marquez decides to change his call mid-call.
How in the world we don’t have instant replay is beyond me and anyone that says human error makes the game interesting is a big fat turd. Bring on the robots.
MH252525 - July 2, 2010
Robots? Sure, why not?
George Kaplan - July 2, 2010
Well, then Thank goodness for Sam Waterston and Old Glory Robot Insurance
red floyd - July 2, 2010
Love the way you pushed our favorite Torii meme, Rev!
red floyd - July 2, 2010
KMo Fat????
Did the guy at RoyalsReview actually call KMo FAT??
red floyd - July 2, 2010
KMo Fat??
That was my reaction, too.
figgiesdaman - July 2, 2010
I think there was a quote from Torii...
saying how solid Kendry is…
Downing Rules - July 3, 2010
I was looking at Fuentes' stats this morning
His ERA is kind of high, but that’s to be expected for players who only pitch an inning or two. A couple runs really inflates it.
Aside from this and his whip, he has 15 saves, which is only 3 less than Mariano Rivera and Jonathan papelsmear.
AND, he only has 3 blown saves, which is only one less than a couple closers you might had heard of by the names of Netfali Feliz and Joakim Soria.
RexTookMyStash - July 2, 2010
Rev, you made an error in your SBNLA article
“…smiles warmly and gives good interview”
Forgot an “a” between “gives” and “good”. Figured I’d tell you before someone ruins your Friday.
Commander_Nate - July 2, 2010
No, that works
George Kaplan - July 2, 2010
Are you sure?
I’ve always seen it used with an article before it.
“I have an interview.”
“He had a good interview.”
Commander_Nate - July 2, 2010
"she gives a great head"?
dr-awkward - July 2, 2010
"Head" in your example is an action that describes a thing
There’s a noun for what your describing – BJ. She can give a good BJ and does so by giving good head. See what I mean?
I love that we’re discussing this by the way.
Commander_Nate - July 2, 2010
I guess you're right.
It would sound weird to say “she gives great BJ”. I digress.
dr-awkward - July 2, 2010
Unless it was a headline, of course.
dr-awkward - July 2, 2010
Am I sure? Yes
It is a colloquialism. It isn’t something you’d hear come from the mouth of the Queen, but it isn’t a typo, either.
From the mouth of the Queen, it would be “Get those corgis out of Our garden.”
George Kaplan - July 2, 2010
figure of speech
“gives good” implies a familiarity with the subject and a consistency on the subject’s part. I used it on purpose and it is a common term, google it.
But thanks for looking out for my copy-editing. Always appreciate it.
Rev Halofan - July 2, 2010
If you're cool with it, then no worries
Just looks odd to me… like something Mr. Chekov would say. I’ve seen it as a headline before but not as part of a sentence.
Commander_Nate - July 2, 2010
Language fail for Dallas Business Journal
Neither does DBJ make fundamental knowledge of the English language a “criteria” for employment as writer or (more critically) editor.
George Kaplan - July 2, 2010
That's a correct statement
It is one of many criteria.
Balls and Strikes - July 2, 2010
Apparently not
…since some editor at DBJ let that howler loose upon an unsuspecting public.
George Kaplan - July 2, 2010
Did anybody read or hear the C.J. Wilson interview after last night's game?
I haven’t seen it, but Victor Rojas commented on his FaceBook page that he didn’t agree with what C.J. said, the gist of it being that the Rangers were basically still a better team than the Angels even though the Rangers had just lost 2 out of three and he himself was the losing pitcher in game 3. I would really like to read for myself what C.J. said, but can’t find it. I was at last night’s game and LOVE it when I get my money’s worth, aka a win!
agent_99 - July 2, 2010
Here you go
Apparently, he isn’t shy about voicing his opinion.
George Kaplan - July 2, 2010
Thanks for the link
What he had to say was very interesting. Actually, I like his confidence, both in himself and in his team- I think that is exactly the attitude an “ace of the staff” should have. However, having said that, I found the one comment left on the article just as interesting:
“Nice job CJ. Why don’t you give the defending American League West champions some bulletin board material so the Angels have something to think about for next time they play the Rangers. Did you not see how Vlad played while trying to show the Angels they made a mistake letting him go?
Just don’t go there, don’t give a team another reason to want to beat you. I sure hope you are right CJ!”
agent_99 - July 2, 2010
Excellent! This season is shaping up just like last year
Rangers have some early success against the Angels and hold 1st place for a while.
This leads someone on the Rangers to make cocky comments where the Angels and/or public can hear.
The Angels are slowly closing in on the Rangers.
Will CJ’s comment replace last year’s Kinslerism in 2010?
Commander_Nate - July 2, 2010
Forgot to add this quote
Yes, that call of safe at 2B on the double play which wasn’t was a huge break that went the way of the Angels.
What a sissy whiner this kid is.
George Kaplan - July 2, 2010
Not to mention the phantom strike 3.
red floyd - July 2, 2010
Not to mention their schedule so far
33 of the Rangers 79 games have been against teams currently over .500 (41.7%).
49 of the Angels 81 have been (60.5%).
Now, remind me which one is the “lucky” team?
LAASurfin - July 2, 2010
love that
in Hamilton’s last chance at extending his hitting streak we intentionally walked him. time to start over, boohoo.
2pintsofbooze - July 2, 2010
Texas did that to Vladdy
when he had a streak against them.
Ha!
raskul - July 2, 2010
yeah
that came to my mind as well. although I do remember Vlad’s last at-bat to keep the streak going they actually pitched to him, and he got a good hit that their right fielder made a really good play on. I guess if they were going to end it, it was going to be by some really good defensive play. his streak was almost twice as many games as Hamilton’s.
either way, Hamilton’s streak is over…and in a losing effort to boot.
Weaver should start the allstar game, I am convinced.
2pintsofbooze - July 2, 2010
With that being said
I hope he doesn’t start the game on Sunday the 11th.
maze88 - July 2, 2010
Weaver's last scheduled start before the break
Is on Saturday the 10th. Assuming no spot starts out of the pen or anything like that.
blast21dave - July 2, 2010
I’ll show you nowhere [enters beast mode]
SenorChuckles - July 2, 2010
I can understand where the Royals fans are coming from
I watch the other team’s broadcasts a lot. Most announcers are baseball traditionalists who think bunts are pretty awesome. They tend to use a game against the Angels as a platform to talk about the greatness of “good fundamentals” and “doing the little things.” Base running, pitching, defense—these are the supposed hallmarks of Angels Baseball. Apparently no one has bothered to actually look at the Angels’ performance in the last two seasons and realize that the current team isn’t very fast, has an inconsistent rotation and a below-average bullpen, and doesn’t play particularly good defense. They’ve made up for it with brute force at the plate.
Still, these announcers will start raving about Angels Baseball every damn time someone goes first to third on a single, like no one else ever goes first to third. Or whenever Jeff Mathis tries to advance a runner with a bunt. “Angels Baseball!” No, it’s just because Mathis is a guaranteed out anyways. It drives even me crazy, so I can only imagine how it makes other fans feel. TV broadcasters seem to be more interested in perpetuating cliches about Mike Scioscia than actually paying attention to the team on the field.
That said, the Angels still play at an entirely different elevation than the Royals, so screw you, Royals fans.
Suboptimal - July 2, 2010
I think
you just covered every Steve Physioc broadcast in 2 paragraphs. amazing he could go 9 innings/162 games with such a small amount of material.
no wonder I hated him. I wonder how the Braves fans are taking to him.
2pintsofbooze - July 2, 2010
Braves fans?
Physioc does not work for the Braves, at least according to their website.
Although, Wikipedia has this entry:
On June, 27, 2010, Physioc handled substitute play-by-play duties for the TBS MLB Sunday telecast of the Detroit Tigers at the Atlanta Braves alongside David Wells and Ron Darling.
Downing Rules - July 2, 2010
Ha!
Scioscia: I will tear you out of that one-bunk Hilton and cast you down among the Sodomites! You’ll feel like you’ve been f***ed by a train. Am I making myself clear? Ya catch my drift? Or am I being obtuse?
Gorbachav5 - July 2, 2010
Shawshank Redemption?
howiestheman - July 2, 2010
Yep.
red floyd - July 2, 2010
great movie.
howiestheman - July 2, 2010
Go WEAVE!!!! Proving start after start he is a TRUE ACE!!
Wally's World - July 2, 2010
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