Angels Head Home On A Winning Streak

(Photo Credit: Yardbarker.com)

After a 3-7 start to the season, who would’ve guessed the Angels would be heading back home after their first road trip riding a three-game winning streak, and sweeping their series with the Blue Jays? I know I didn’t. Weaver went into Toronto having won his first two starts of the season, and up until the April 14th game against the Yankees, he was the only Angels pitcher to take part in a winning effort. Apparently, a trip to the great white north was just what the team needed.

Weaver won again in the first game against the Jays, and he was masterful doing it, retiring 16 of the first 17 batters he faced and striking out eight over 7 innings. The only damage Toronto was able to do were solo home runs by Vernon Wells and Randy Ruiz, and up until the eighth the Angels were enjoying a comfortable six-run lead. Jason Bulger decided to change all that, promptly giving up three runs over 0.2 innings, before Jepsen came in to finish off the 8th. Now a save situation, Rodney came in and managed not to throw the game away for the Angels.

The trend continued in game two, as Joe Saunders threw 8 solid innings, giving up only two unearned runs, and backed by home runs from both Howie Kendrick and Juan Rivera. The bullpen again gave up some ground, though this time it was only one run charged to Jepsen, and the Angels’ 6-3 victory was in little danger.

The best was saved for last, however.   Ervin Santana came into Sunday afternoon having given up 9 earned over 11.2 innings and sporting a nasty 6.94 ERA. He left the Rogers Centre after hurling a gem, throwing a complete game and giving up only 1 earned and 4 hits while striking out six. It may’ve been his best game since Sept 28 of last year, when he threw a complete game shutout against Texas.

The Angels go home now to take on Detroit, a team that has lost four of their last six, and will likely face Dontrelle Willis and Rick Porcello in the first two games. Matching up against them will be Joel Pineiro and Scott Kazmir. Can they make it four in a row? Tune in Monday at 10:05 p.m. PT and find out!

(Nate Proctor is the lead writer for Halo Hangout.  You can stay up to date on all of Nate’s work by following him on Twitter, Facebook, or by way of the Halo Hangout RSS feed.)