Trout steals second and then scampers to third on a fly out to left-center, and, so, of course, Bob Costas, Jim Kaat and Tom Verducci launch into songs of praise to Trout's talents.
Oh, in addition to the fact that Angels center-fielder Mike Trout is historically fantastic, I just learned that the A's have struggled to score runs since trading away Yoenis Céspedes a few weeks ago.
3-0, Angels, through four innings. Coming up for Oakland in the top of the fifth: Brandon Moss, who hasn't homered in more than a month; Geovany Soto, whom the A's picked up off of waivers from Texas last week, and Andy Perrino, who was hitting .167 on the season before striking out in his previous at-bat.
Well, OK ... Moss singles into right, and then Soto lifts a spinning fly into right. The ball takes an odd bounce off the wall, and Soto chugs all the way around to third base. It's ruled a double and an error on the right-fielder ... 3-1!
Angels center-fielder Mike Trout is the leadoff hitter, but he swings at the first pitch, leaving not enough time for Costas, Kaat and Verducci to really get tuned up.
"He guessed fastball on the first pitch, and he guessed correctly--but he just missed," sighs Aunt Kitty.
Angels center-fielder Mike Trout snags a fly out on the road to end the inning, and now we're going to break with MLB Network (of course) showing Trout's catch in slow motion. Still tied at 3, middle of the seventh.
And now the Oakland pitcher and first baseman miscommunicate on a bunt up the first-base line, and we have Angels on first and (illegally) second with no out.
Intentional walk to load the bases. Left-handed reliever enters and gets a pop out for two down. Here comes right-hander Ryan Cook now to face Angels center-fielder Mike Trout with bases loaded, two out and the game tied at 3 in the bottom of the ninth.
Hamilton singles, and that's first and third with no out. Alberto Callaspo barely misses Hamilton's grounder up the right-field side of second base ...
Here's Howie Kendrick, who I honestly can't remember ever making an out. I don't care what statistics they put up on the screen; I'm pretty sure Howie Kendrick hits about .800 every season.
A's down, 3-0, after two innings as the Angels get some fine directional hitting and base-running out of batters No. 4 through 9 in their order.
ReplyDeleteMike Trout leads off the bottom of the third with the Angels' fifth single of the game off Sonny Gray.
ReplyDeleteTrout steals second and then scampers to third on a fly out to left-center, and, so, of course, Bob Costas, Jim Kaat and Tom Verducci launch into songs of praise to Trout's talents.
ReplyDeletePhew. Angels load bases but can't add to their lead. Still 3-0. This Angels lineup really is just terrific.
ReplyDeleteOh, how I hate them so.
OK! OK! Josh Donaldson leads off the fourth inning with a double!
ReplyDeleteDonaldson's double (of course) touches off another round of love for Mike Trout and his "premature understanding of the game."
ReplyDeleteThere's Mike Scoscia, who always makes me think of Kirk Gibson.
ReplyDeleteGomes sails a deep fly to Josh Hamilton, and Donaldson is on third.
ReplyDeleteMike Trout was majestic in center on that play, by the way, watching Hamilton make the catch in left.
Two out.
ReplyDeleteOut. Angels coming up in the fourth, still ahead 3-0.
ReplyDeleteBaseball is too hard. I want to cry.
ReplyDeleteHere's a commercial in which a U.S. Navy Reservist is praising Angels center-fielder Mike Trout.
ReplyDeleteOh, in addition to the fact that Angels center-fielder Mike Trout is historically fantastic, I just learned that the A's have struggled to score runs since trading away Yoenis Céspedes a few weeks ago.
ReplyDelete3-0, Angels, through four innings. Coming up for Oakland in the top of the fifth: Brandon Moss, who hasn't homered in more than a month; Geovany Soto, whom the A's picked up off of waivers from Texas last week, and Andy Perrino, who was hitting .167 on the season before striking out in his previous at-bat.
ReplyDeleteWell, OK ... Moss singles into right, and then Soto lifts a spinning fly into right. The ball takes an odd bounce off the wall, and Soto chugs all the way around to third base. It's ruled a double and an error on the right-fielder ... 3-1!
ReplyDeleteCOCO SINGLES UP THE MIDDLE AGAIN! IT'S 3-2! #GREENCOLLAR!
ReplyDeleteCrisp is picked off first, and the Angels take a one-run (and one-game) lead to the bottom of the fifth.
ReplyDeleteAngels center-fielder Mike Trout is the leadoff hitter, but he swings at the first pitch, leaving not enough time for Costas, Kaat and Verducci to really get tuned up.
ReplyDelete"He guessed fastball on the first pitch, and he guessed correctly--but he just missed," sighs Aunt Kitty.
One, two, three for Sonny Gray of Smyrna, Tenn., and it's still 3-2 and headed to the sixth.
ReplyDeleteAND JOSH DONALDSON LEADS OFF THE SIXTH WITH A HOME RUN!
ReplyDelete3-3! IT'S 3-3!!!
ReplyDeleteOK, first and second with two out for Oakland, and that chases the Angel starter, C.J. Wilson ...
ReplyDeleteWalk. Bases loaded. Here come Steven Vogt. Two out. Bases loaded. Right-handed reliever. I BELIEVE IN STEVEN VOGT!
ReplyDeleteK. Middle of the sixth. Tied.
ReplyDelete5-4-3 double play snuffs the Angels in the bottom of the sixth after a leadoff single. Still 3s.
ReplyDeleteWith two outs, Donaldson falls behind 0-2 on the count but ends up drawing a walk in the top of the seventh ...
ReplyDeleteAngels center-fielder Mike Trout snags a fly out on the road to end the inning, and now we're going to break with MLB Network (of course) showing Trout's catch in slow motion. Still tied at 3, middle of the seventh.
DeleteOK, eight innings complete. Still 3-3. This is intense, baby.
ReplyDeleteAnd here comes Angels closer Huston Street, a former A.
ReplyDeleteTwo out in the top of the ninth, and here comes our latest hero, Sam Fuld, who homered the A's from behind for a win at Houston late last night.
ReplyDeleteOut. Middle of the ninth.
ReplyDeleteThe Angels' lead-off hitter is tagged out on the way to first base, but the home-plate umpire has decided to award him the single, anyway.
ReplyDeleteThe A's are now playing this game under protest.
ReplyDeleteWhat a bunch of garbage.
ReplyDeleteHEY, AUNT KITTY, THE OAKLAND PITCHER FIELDED THE BALL AND TAGGED OUT THE RUNNER!
ReplyDeleteGARBAGE!
ReplyDeleteBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd now the Oakland pitcher and first baseman miscommunicate on a bunt up the first-base line, and we have Angels on first and (illegally) second with no out.
ReplyDeleteBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBunt out. Angels on second and third. One down. BOO!!!
ReplyDeleteIntentional walk to load the bases. Left-handed reliever enters and gets a pop out for two down. Here comes right-hander Ryan Cook now to face Angels center-fielder Mike Trout with bases loaded, two out and the game tied at 3 in the bottom of the ninth.
ReplyDeleteOf course.
Ground out, Angels center-fielder Mike Trout. Extra innings. #GREENCOLLAR!
ReplyDeleteThe A's are now out of reserve batters. In honor of Ludogorets, maybe some pitcher will end up having to bat and go all Cosmin Moti up in here.
ReplyDeleteAlbert Pujols walks to open the bottom of the 10th, and here's Josh Hamilton.
ReplyDeleteHamilton singles, and that's first and third with no out. Alberto Callaspo barely misses Hamilton's grounder up the right-field side of second base ...
ReplyDeleteHere's Howie Kendrick, who I honestly can't remember ever making an out. I don't care what statistics they put up on the screen; I'm pretty sure Howie Kendrick hits about .800 every season.
ReplyDeleteKendrick gets his out, but it's way out in right field. And that's it. 4-3, Angels.
ReplyDelete