Jordan Walden Throws Season Away…..Literally

The Angels let yet another golden opportunity to remain in the playoff race slip away Sunday when Jordan Walden blew yet another save opportunity. The Halos entered the ninth with a 5-2 lead needing only 3 outs to move to within 1.5 games back of Boston for the Wild Card lead. From there everything went wrong. Rookie closer Jordan Walden gave up a lead off home run to Josh Willingham before the real wildness occurred. With runners on first and second and one out Walden got Adam Rosales to hit a come backer to the mound for what looked to be a game ending double play. However Walden fielded the ball and then turned and fired the ball to second base center field – one run scored and the A’s now had runners on second and third with just one out. Ball game. The A’s went on to take a 6-5 lead and Andrew Bailey then got Bobby Abreu to pop out with Howie Kendrick on first base to end the game in the bottom of the ninth.

The blown save was Walden’s 10th of the year and likely sealed the fate for the 2011 Angels. A team not quite ready or good enough for the post season. Up next the Halos welcome Texas to the Big A for the final series of the year.