Angels Win Behind Skaggs Shutout Return vs Royals

Tyler Skaggs hadn’t pitched for the LA Angels since July 31st, 2014. He had to leave the game early, and it was later discovered he needed to have Tommy John surgery for a torn UCL.

The beginning of this season he was set to return, but a few setbacks kept pushing the date of return back. After a few quality starts with the Angels High-A and AAA affiliates he finally returned with the Angels.

It’s easy to say that after watching Skaggs return for the LA Angels that he blew away any and all expectations.  Throughout seven innings he pitched he allowed only three hits, one walk, five strikeouts and no runs.

His curveball looked amazing, getting him two strikeouts in the first. His fastball was placed perfectly, getting hitters to softly pop up throughout the game. But most of all, Skaggs looked comfortable.

There were no signs he had been out two years due to a surgery. The whole game he looked calm and collected, and I can’t help but feel he could have gone longer in the game. The Angels were delicate with his return, pulling him after seven innings.

On top of Skaggs amazing return the Angels offense seemed to have a fire lit in them, combining for a total of twenty-two base hits, having every starting position player landing at least one base hit.

Leading the pack was Yunel Escobar who went 5-5 with one walk, two runs scored and one RBI. Right behind Escobar was the returning of catcher Carlos Perez, who was sent down to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees after Geovany Soto was activated off the DL.

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Soto was promptly reinstated to the DL and Perez called back up. In Perez’ first game being back he hit a solid 4-5 with three runs scored, one RBI, and one walk. Leading the pack in RBI’s was right fielder Kole Calhoun with four RBI’s on his two hits.

Behind Skaggs amazing outing the Angels defense also had a rather spectacular night. In the second Escobar dove and stole a hit from Royals catcher Salvador Perez. Later, in sixth Andrelton Simmons does what he does best by bare-handing a slow roller and gunning Alcides Escobar out at first.

Following the sixth, Calhoun made his plea for another gold glove award when he dove to rob Kendrys Morales of a hit.

The Angels beat the Royals 13-0. Bringing their record to 45-55.

This was the exact game the Angels needed to help rebound momentum. They started strong out of the All-Star break, but the sweep from the Astros had dashed some of that.

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The Angels need Skaggs to continue pitching half as good as he did in his return, and they need their defense and offense to back up the pitching. If they get all three of those in sync like they did against the Royals tonight, there is a good chance they will end their season better than their first half would have predicted.