Los Angeles 12 - Tampa Bay 3: Mike Napoli’s grand slam wins fixture for the Angels
The Los Angeles Angels were looking to end their series loss to the Tampa Bay Rays with a positive note. Fortunately, for the 37,009 fans in Anaheim, the game presented a galore of runs. The hitters were up to the task this time round and the visiting team had a hard time quelling the hosts’ offense. With the series already won by the visitors, the home team fought for pride and honour.
The Angels were looking for a win in yesterday’s fixture. They were on a three game losing streak. Already facing a 4 series loss, pressure was mounting on the roster and the coaches. However, this match eased the tension building on the club as the hitters performed well, relieving the pitcher off any encumbering task to contain the score diligently. Stuck on the third position of the Western Division, much was needed to be done to close the gap between them and the second placed Oakland Athletics.
Dan Haren, who carries an ERA of 4.45, was called in to pitch for the Angels. The ball thrower, who has fared well in the season so far, came in with 8 wins and 12 losses to his name. The 29-year-old experienced player was able to deliver the match to Los Angeles with no problems as he struck out 8 and pitched 96 times in his 6 innings of play. He conceded 3 hits, of which 1 was converted for a run and walked 4 players over his pitching tenure.
The Tampa Bay Rays were already looking dangerous. Their series win over the Anaheim Angels was a positive result that the management was looking for, given their standing in the Eastern Division table. They already have been tied to the top of the table with the New York Yankees. They needed an opportunity to nudge past their League opponents for the top position. Unfortunately, that wasn’t going to be the case because the hosts were a lot more difficult for them to handle.
Jeff Niemann was brought in for the fixture. The Rays pitcher has an ERA of 3.67 and managed a good season record. He came into the match with 10 runs and 3 losses. It wasn’t expected that the star ace man was going to have a hard time against the Angels. Unfortunately, his injury had to be dealt with as well. The ball thrower had just returned from a shoulder problem and a simulated game on Friday had cleared him but the player never got to do well on Thursday. He pitched for 3.1 innings and managed to pitch 76 times, striking 2 players out. He conceded 8 hits, 10 runs and 3 walks.
The Rays began the innings with John Jaso. The hitter produced a stunning 401 feet homer on Dan Haren’s second pitch. This brought the first run for the team. In connection to the dislike of the fans present in Anaheim, the Angels were on the back foot. Much to the fortunes of the Los Angeles management, the star batters were in top form. Hideki Matsui was presented with a situation to thrive on. Bobby Abreu, Howard Kendrick and Torii Hunter were all on bases. The former MVP took the game to the visitors by smashing a double to the right. The move got all three players past the last base, putting the home team on top with 3 runs. That wasn’t to be the end of the 1st innings as Mike Napoli got a double to the deep left to award Matsui with a run.
The Angles were just getting started and the 3rd bottom showcased the entire fixture in the headlines. The bases were filled up again and Napoli came out to punish Niemann again. This time, the hitter banged a massive 370 feet homer to the left for a grand slam. Alberto Callaspo, Hunter and Matsui cleared their bases for the hit and this got 8 runs on the table.
The bottom 4th was another session for the Angels to strive under. Napoli walked on a full diamond and Kendrick got to score the 9th for the team. Jeff Mathis then hit a ground rule double to the deep right. The hit got Hunter and Matsui through and this brought on 11 runs. Mathis scored the last for the home team in the bottom 6th when Kendrick singled to the right.
With the score line read 12-1 for the Angels, the Rays were only able to respond in the top 7th when Jaso got involved once again. This time, he doubled to the deep left. The move got Kelly Shoppach and Reid Brignac through the last base for 2 runs, ending the game on Los Angeles at 12 with Tampa Bay at 3.
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