Angels Can’t Hold Five Run Lead In Loss To Indians

Aug 11, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jerome Williams (57) reacts after giving up a home run in the sixth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

I can’t believe that I’m writing about another Angels loss today. I began with such hope that I would finally get to see what it’s like to write about another Angels win. Then the sixth and seventh innings happened, and the disappointment that has haunted the season settled in for the remainder of the game as the Angels ended up losing yet another game they should have won.

This third game of the series versus the Cleveland Indians saw Jerome Williams on the rubber for the Angels and Justin Masterson for the Indians. The game started out being all Angels, who scored four runs in the first two innings, but was tied in the seventh and fans anticipated the eventual meltdown that would see a five run lead evaporate again and the Angels lose out on the sweep that should have been theirs (as is expected of most big league clubs that are leading by five runs after six innings in the final game of a series).

Jerome Williams pitched extremely well through five and two-thirds, but, in keeping with the season where two out hits and runs have been a plague on Angels’ pitchers, gave up back to back two run home runs in the sixth, changing the momentum of the game and giving the Indians the chance to get back into and ultimately win the game.

After getting the first two batters of the inning, Lonnie Chisenhall and Drew Stubbs, to strike out, Michael Bourn singled, Nick Swisher hit the first of the two run home runs, Jason Kipniss walked, and Mike Aviles hit the second of their two run home runs in the inning. With the score 5-4 Angels, Jerome was pulled after only throwing 75 pitches. Onto the bullpen; Mike Scioscia brought out Buddy Boshers, who was able to end the inning, but the parade of relievers that came after couldn’t keep it that way, and the Angels ended up losing 6-5 a game they were leading 5-0.

Justin Masterson towed the slab for the Indians and he wasn’t his all-star self as the Angels did all their scoring off of him, the first 4 runs in the first and second innings with the final run tacked on in the fourth. Masterson went 5 innings plus 3 batters in the sixth, was pulled after giving up back-to-back walks in the sixth Despite having multiple chances to score more, the Angels were unable to capitalize on those opportunities, and didn’t plate any more runs the rest of the game.

With two on and one out in the fifth, a double steal by Erick Aybar and Chris Nelson put both runners in scoring position, but Hank Conger struck out. Grant Green walked to load the bases, and J.B. Shuck grounded out to end that inning. Two on and one out in the sixth, Mark Trumbo lined out and Erick Aybar grounded out to end that inning. After that, the only other person to get a hit for the Angels was Mike Trout in the eighth, but there were already two out when he reached and Josh Hamilton struck out to end the inning and the last scoring threat the Angels had, as they went down in order in the ninth.

The Angels brought out J.C. Gutierrez to start the seventh and he gave up the tying run to the first batter he faced, Carlos Santana, who hit his 13th home run to lead off the inning and tie the score. Jason Giambi flied out, Chisenhall walked, and Drew Stubbs singled, which ended Gutierrez’s outing. Scioscia then went to Nick Maronde, with Michael Bourn at the plate, but he singled and that was the only batter Maronde saw. Out came Kevin Jepsen, who got Nick Swisher to ground out for the second in the inning, intentionally walked Jason Kipniss, then induced Mike Aviles to hit a ground ball to end the inning.

Neither team would do any more scoring in the final innings, but the Indians didn’t need to, they’d already from behind to score the six runs they needed to win the game and keep them from being swept at home. A promising start by the Angels, but they were unable to keep it up, get the series win instead of the sweep it seemed they were in line for, reminiscent of the final game in the Toronto series at Angel Stadium to begin the month.

Next, the Angels head to New York to take on the New York Yankees in a four game set at Yankee stadium. Then they head back home for six games, three against the Houston Astros and three more opposing the Indians. Game time tomorrow is 4:05 pm PST Garrett Richards pitches for the Angels vs. Hiroki Kuroda for the Yankees.