Alberto Callaspo fumbles to allow Texas Rangers lead against Los Angeles Angels
It is not always fair to blame one man for the loss of one game to a team. However baseball is a very tricky game when it comes to errors. The mistakes on the field can cost the clubs a lot and that was true for the Los Angeles Angels on Monday, September
26, when they went up against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. Needing a win to still stay in the Wild-Card contention, the Angels lost their chance as they crashed to a 4-3 loss.
The loss means the club will not be in the American League play-offs. However the one run they conceded in an error will be hardly forgotten by the fans. Yesterday, Jordan Walden conceded four runs to the Oakland Athletics to lose the game for the Angels.
This time again, it was an error and a mistake that led to the club’s ouster from the Wild-Card competition. The culprit was Alberto Callaspo as the one error on the field allowed Ian Kinsler to score the first run of the game.
C. J. Wilson started for the Rangers as the visitors were itching to get their game in motion against the Angels, who were earlier contending for their American League West crown. Wilson was up against the Angels top hurler, Dan Haren. Both players on 16
wins were looking for a major psychological win. The Texas hurler however had just two innings on the mound as manager Ron Washington opted to rest his Number one pitcher.
It was Haren who picked up the loss, nevertheless. He pitched eight innings to end the game with four runs allowing nine hits. Wilson on the other hand, was replaced by Mark Hamburger. The rookie hurler picked up his first win in the season as he pitched
3.2 innings, allowing just one run off two hits.
The bull-pen roster did well from both ends. Neftali Feliz was the only person to face a scare as he conceded a run off two hits in the ninth before ending his inning performance with 31 season saves.
The game kicked off with the Rangers getting the early advantage off Haren. Ian Kinsler managed a single. The second baseman then went on to second base when catcher Jeff Mathis passed the ball. The infielder eventually scored when he moved to third on a
sacrifice hit by Elvis Andrus. Callaspo made the game changing error as Kinsler ran home and the Rangers went on top with a 1-0 score line.
Misery continued for the Angels in the top fourth as Young got a walk from Haren. The Texas designated hitter was in the right position as Adrian Beltre came in to blast a two-run homer to centre. The play got Young home as well, giving the Rangers a 3-0
score.
Angels were able to respond in the bottom sixth as Dan Oliver replaced Hamburger and picked up two runs (one unearned). Torii Hunter scored the first from a single off right fielder, Mike Trout. The rally in the sixth proved useful as Bobby Abreu came in
to force a walk. The play on a bases loaded situation allowed Callaspo to earn a critical second run.
Koji Uehara came in to pick up the last out of the inning, as Maicer Izturis popped out to first. The Angels were now 2-3. Michael Young was again on the scoreboard as he put the game further away from the home team with an RBI single. Andrus scored from
the play.
The Angels responded in the ninth as Peter Bourjos hit an RBI single to steer Erick Aybar home for the third run. The game came to an end as Feliz closed out the Angels for the victory.
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