Angels Report 7/29

Anaheim Angels 62-41 (.602) First Place in the AL West

LATEST TEAM INFO

After six games against the Oakland A's and the Seattle Mariners, the Anaheim Angels find themselves in first place for the first time this season. They are percentage points ahead of the Mariners for the AL west lead. The Angels lost one game against the A's and they lost one game against the Mariners.

The Angels took care of the two best teams in the AL West, and now they have to see what they can do against the power houses of the AL East. They open a three game set against the Boston Red Sox on the 29th and they have a four game series verses the NY Yankees beginning on the first of August. The Angels showed that they are for real against the Mariners and the A's. Now its time to show that they are the best team in the AL by beating the Yankees and the Red Sox.

Some great news for you Angels fans. Troy Percival was activated from the 15-day disabled list on Saturday, July 27. This will be a giant help to an Angels bull pen that is suffering from injuries. Ben Weber was 3-for-3 in save chances in place of the Percival. With Percival back, Weber will likely be the set up guy and that will make for a great one-two punch in the bull pen.

On July 27 Jarrod Washburn's 12 game win streak was over. He pitched a complete game against the Mariners on July 27, giving up four hits and three earned runs. The Angels lost the game 3-1. Washburn did pitch well enough to win but this is a complete team effort and things were not all put together. Washburn was only two wins shy of Chuck Finley's club-record 14-game winning streak set in 1997-98.

PLAYER UPDATES

Bengie Molina- He is on the DL and he is expected to come back sooner then expected. Even when he comes off the DL leave him on the FA list. If he comes off the DL lighting it up I will let you know when its time to pick him up.

Brad Fullmer- He has six hits in his last 14 at-bats. Fullmer is hitting .288 with nine homers against right-handers and .192 with one homer against lefties. The platoon at first base will continue most likely for the rest of the season.

Adam Kennedy- His .245 average against lefties will keep him platooning for much of the rest of the year. Kennedy is still a good fantasy player, and his defense will keep him in the lineup over Benji Gil the majority of the time, but he will lose at-bats against lefties for the rest of the season.

David Eckstein- He is the hardest player in the AL to strike out with just 17 strikeouts in 307 plate appearances, and got a routine day off Wednesday against the A's.

Troy Glaus- He was hitting .292 with 11 homers and 47 RBIs at the end of May, but in June and July he is hitting just .199, lowering his season average to .244.

Garret Anderson- He is batting .360 in his last six games. He has nine hits in his last 25 at-bats. He has been the best bat for the Angels all year and will continue the production.

Darin Erstad- He only has three hits in his last 25 at-bats. The last six games have not been that good for Erstad but his production will be fine.

Tim Salmon- He has five hits in his last 24 at-bats. He does have a home run with three RBI.

Scott Spiezio- Over his last six games he is batting .389 with three RBI. His at-bats are going to stay limited with the three player platoon going at first base.

Shawn Wooten - In his last four games he is batting .375 with two RBI. He has only played in four of the last seven due to the platoon at first base.

Aaron Sele- He pitched seven strong innings Wednesday against the A's. He scattered six hits, walked none and striking out four.

Ramon Ortiz- He allowed eight hits, all singles, and four runs in 5.1 innings for a no-decision against the Oakland the 25th.

Kevin Appier- He allowed just four hits in eight scoreless innings in a 1-0 victory over the Mariners on Sunday. He has really picked it up of late, having only allowed eight runs in his last 32 innings.

Jarrod Washburn- His 12-game winning streak came to an end on Saturday, but he had another quality outing. He gave up three runs in eight innings in the loss to Seattle.

John Lackey- He pitched eight scoreless innings Friday to defeat the Mariners. Lackey came off of a couple of disappointing performances, but he was outstanding in the game against the Mariners, giving up six hits, walking one and striking out five.

Scott Schoeneweis- He is not getting too many innings pitched. With the way Lackey is pitching do not expect to see Schoenweis coming back into the rotation any time soon.

Ben Weber - He converted all three of his save opportunities while Percival was on the DL. Now that Percival is back don’t look for Weber to get many save opportunities.

Troy Percival- He came off the DL and he earned a save in his first game back Sunday against the Mariners.

INJURY REPORT

The Angels activated closer Troy Percival from the 15-day disabled list on July 27. Lou Pote was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake in order to make room on the roster for Percival.

Bengie Molina, who injured his hamstring, could be activated on Aug. 1. He could be back before expected. It was originally thought he would be sidelined for at least one month, but the LA Times reports that he is responding well to treatment and will be back soon.

Dennis Cook (P) - Left shoulder - 15-day DL (7/5)
Steve Green (P) - Right elbow - 60-day DL (3/11)

INSIDE THE SERIES

The Angels just finished two very important series against their division rival Mariners and A's. The Angels took two out of three against both teams and now find them selves in first place in the AL West.

Angels vs. A's

In this three game set the Angels beat the A's two out of three. The Angels scored 11 runs to the Angels pitchers gave up seven runs.

In Game One the Angels lost the game 2-1. Shawn Wooten went 3-4 and Darin Erstad went 1-5 with an RBI and he stranded four runners. The Angels got a great game from Kevin Appier who pitched eight innings giving up four hits and just two earned runs.

In the Second game the Angels pulled it out a win, beating the A's 5-1. The Angels got a surprising game from Orlando Palmeiro. He went 2-4 and led the team with three RBI. David Eckstein went 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Aaron Sele earned the win, pitching seven innings giving up six hits and one earned run.

In the rubber game the Angels squeaked a win with a score of 5-4 to take the series against the A's. Salmon went 1-3 with two RBI and Anderson went 3-5 with an RBI. Ortiz started the game pitching five and two thirds innings giving up eight hits and four earned runs. Shields earned the win pitching two and two thirds innings and Weber closed the game with a perfect ninth.

Angels vs. Mariners

In the series that was going to set the table for the AL west the Angels took two games from the Mariners and the AL West lead. The Angels out scored the Mariners 10 to three. Angels pitchers came to play putting up two shut outs.

In the opening game of the series the Angels opened it up on the Mariners beating them 8-0. Spiezo went 1-4 and he drove in three runs. Salmon went 2-5 with a home run and an RBI. Lacky earned the win pitching eight beautiful innings, giving up six hits and no runs.

In the second game the Seattle beat the Angels 3-1. Washburn's 12-game winning streak was ended in the loss. He pitched well enough to win the game but did not get the usual run support. Glaus went 0-3 the three runners left on base. Fullmer went 2-3, scoring the single run for the Angels.

In the final game of the three set the Angels beat the Mariners 1-0. Appier pitched a brilliant game in the Angels shutout. He went eight innings giving up four hits and he did not allow a single run. Wooten broke up a scoreless tie driving in Salmon, with a sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth inning.

Rumor Central

Their focus has been on acquiring a power reliever, figuring that depth can be added off the waiver wire. Shuey was at the top of the list, but the Dodgers nabbed him from Cleveland on Sunday.

The Angels could use some help at first base, where Shawn Wooten, Brad Fullmer and Scott Spiezio have been sharing playing time.

The problem with making a big trade is that the Angels Owner, Bill Stoneman, does not want to deal any of the young talent he has sitting in the minors.

QUICK VIEW

Glaus (HOLD/TRADE) - Yes he is in a huge slump but he is still a very valuable bat at third base. There are not many options at third base. IF you can put together a deal to get a player like Eric Chavez then do it. There is no telling when Glaus will pull out of this.

Salmon (GET) - By now he is probably not going to be found on an FA lists. IF he is then get him right away. IF you can get him for pretty cheap then make the deal.

Lackey (ADD) - He will most likely be a FA in most leagues. He has pitched beautifully since he has been called up. In his most recent start he shut out the Seattle Mariners. This kid is for real. Pick him up.

In general anyone that plays everyday for the Angels can and should be on your roster (Eckstein, Glaus, Anderson, Erstad, Salmon, Washburn, Appier, Sele, Ortiz, Lackey, and Percival).

PITCHING MATCH-UPS

Mon. 29 - Sele (8-7) Castillo (5-11)
Tue. 30 - Ortiz (9-7) Martinez (13-2)
Wed. 31 - Lackey (2-1) Arrojo (4-3)

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