That's right. A three-run lead with two outs in the ninth inning against the worst offense in baseball is technically a save situation. Fernando Rodney relieved Kevin Jepsen and got the technical save. Of course the out was on a line drive hit right at a fielder, but...baby steps.
Speaking of baby steps, Hank Conger and Mark Trumbo both pinch hit in the 7th inning, their first major-league plate appearances. Each whiffed on 4 pitches from Jamey Wright, who's struck out just a few more guys than he's walked in his astonishingly bad 15-year major league career. No worries, though, it'll be a story they can both tell when the Angels retire their numbers.
Otherwise, the Angels made only one unnecessary out on the bases and misplayed only one ball in the outfield, so if you squint your eyes and look sideways, the team in the boxscore almost starts to look good. The heart of the order put together some decent plate appearances against a very good pitcher--including a homer from Hideki Matsui and a two-run RBI single from Torii Hunter--and Ervin Santana easily held down a Mariners offense that is, well, a bunch of guys with sticks in their hands, but an offense nonetheless.
So I'd put down tonight as a confidence booster. The Angels "chipped away" at Felix Hernandez, "pressured the defense," "manufactured some runs," you know, all those "little things" that get your jersey dirty and make TV color guys gush over your "spirit" and "intangibles." Jeff Mathis didn't do anything other than go 0-4 tonight, but somehow, I'm sure he's responsible for all of it.
Game Thread Roll Call: mjhsieh, angelslogic, HalosFanInNorCal, LanaBanana, stuck in Romania, RexTookMyStash, sheisalovelyladyandmyapologiestoher, Suboptimal, clover_black, Monkeyspanked, 2pintsofbooze, halofan4life, sothball, ladybug, maze88, TheKingfish, Rev Halofan, Quad Fin Rider, Halos2011champs, opiejeanne, phoenix15, Moondoggy, Halowood, ChargerBill, K3YEROUT, Chzburger Jones, red floyd, halofan1, 44FAN, Slyintine, Quinlan's Goofy Swing, LA Seitz, RedHatHalo, firebird81, grahams98
Total Users: 35 • Total Posts: 551
0 recs | 28 comments
If he only has to get 1 out he is nails!. We are so lucky to have such an awesome closer.
Happy that King Cong and Heaven’s Trumbets finally got an AB. Fleet Pete 5/6 now in SB’s. (if I remember right, that one out he was actually safe?)
Wally's World - September 11, 2010
He was safe.
Even though it was a pitchout and Kendell threw a strike to second.
halofan4life - September 11, 2010
that just shows how awesome he is. If he starts next year, 40-50 SB's?
Wally's World - September 11, 2010
if he hits
better or walks more, than yes.
phoenix15 - September 11, 2010
He'll need to get on base.
Robviously - September 11, 2010
Updated the wrap-up with a holla to Kong and Trombone
Suboptimal - September 11, 2010
Mike Napoli was awesome playing first base.
44FAN - September 11, 2010
his zero hits were rad too
but only because he struck out twice
that’s how mathis earns playing time
Quinlan's Goofy Swing - September 11, 2010
Scioscia thinks CERA is a new kinf of low-carb pasta
44FAN - September 11, 2010
Low-Carb Pasta
I saw them warm up for the Smithereens in ’92 at the Variety Arts Center.
rspencer - September 12, 2010
3 in a row...
Soth is right afterall… ;)
K3YEROUT - September 11, 2010 via mobile
I thought tonight's big bucket of awesome was learning that moonshine actually has no vitamins
which is why I’m sticking to the more health conscious Newcastles
Quad Fin Rider - September 11, 2010
Guinness...it's my drink...
It’s good for your heart.
maze88 - September 11, 2010 via mobile
Damn 6pm start times
I thought I would be able to catch the last couple of innings (or more, given the past two games) tonight, but the game was already over. Good to see a win – and it seems SuperMathis returned to being Clark Jeff. Still premium, though.
The_Question - September 11, 2010
1 save doesn't NOT take Rodney off my **it list.
I was at tonight’s game and it was GREAT to see Trumbo and Conger get an at bat. And then to see Trumbo play first. I know they both got K’d but they needed to get that first AB out of the way.
angelsfan7 - September 11, 2010
Super Human
Mariano Rivera hit Jeff Francoeur with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th with a tied game….
maze88 - September 11, 2010 via mobile
lol
norcaliangelsfan - September 11, 2010
Damned MFY... can't trust them to do the right thing when it comes to Texas.
Selig must have paid them off to suck against the Strangers.
red floyd - September 12, 2010
2 Sides of Awesome
1) Some poor dude got taken out by a HR in section 238 during Mariner’s BP in front of like 3 of his kids and his wife. Happened like 8 rows ahead of me and my dad…took it straight to the dome. He ended up being OK but he was down for a while and I think has to buy some new glasses.
2) There were a bunch of Japanese exchange students behind us cheering for Hideki and Ichiro and I ended up talking to one of them about Yu Darvish and how awesome he is for a while.
Off to drink with the homies now…tonight is turning into a Value Meal of Awesome!
Commander_Nate - September 11, 2010
Is Poo Darvish ever going to man up and come play in the MLB?
That’d be my question. He has the skills, not sure what’s holding him back.
Downing Rules - September 12, 2010
He isn't a free agent
It takes 7-9 seasons to hit free agency over there. He’s in his 6th now if I’m not mistaken but still doesn’t have enough games to qualify next year. He could be posted by Nippon Ham as early as this winter or next, which would create quite the bidding war.
A rotation of Haren, Weaver, Darvish, Santana, (insert 5th wheel here) and titanium reinforced Kendry in the lineup would probably make us a lock for the ALCS every year.
Commander_Nate - September 12, 2010
The name?
red floyd - September 12, 2010
Unless
Darvish can hit .350 with 50 HRs and 140 RBIs along with an ERA of 2.00 and leading the MLB in Ks, he’s not gonna help this team out that much. Unless the team changes, I can seem him as a Jered Weaver. Pitching his ass off just to watch the Halos get shutout
phoenix15 - September 12, 2010
I mean that the name "Poo" was holding him back.
red floyd - September 13, 2010
Yay........a win
norcaliangelsfan - September 11, 2010
wooot, u know mariano rivera blew a save today….. maybe the yankees will make a trade : )
robi s - September 12, 2010
I got jobbed on the pregame picks...
Torii Hunter made an error. I swear that the ball changed direction after hitting his glove/arm. I did not see a replay, but was watching from left field seats. Santana’s ERA also agrees with me. Torii had trouble with the lights TWICE in the game, the first one did not lead to an “error.”
Downing Rules - September 12, 2010
Was at the game...
And the Conger-for-Matsui pinch hit sequence was quite odd. Matsui was nearly in the batter’s box before being pulled back for Kid Conger. I was the only person in my section who stood up and cheered when I heard “Now batting, number 64 …. (me clapping) … Hank Conger!” Everyone else was thinking “WTF?”
Downing Rules - September 12, 2010
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