Halo Highlights-Bullpen Falters Again as Angels Lose Series in Chicago

The Angels bullpen has been quite leaky on this road trip. This happened again yesterday, as the bullpen couldn’t protect a lead late and the White Sox beat the Angels 4-2. Scott Downs being on the DL hasn’t helped matters and I think the Angels probable should go and grab a reliever on the trade market if the right deal is there. This isn’t a good thing to have going into a huge series against the Oakland A’s.

Aug 5, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Angels left fielder Peter Bourjos (25) leaps for the home run hit by Chicago White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski (not pictured) during the seventh inning at US Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-US PRESSWIRE

No one scored until the fifth when the Angels finally broke through against Francisco Liriano, though his injury may have also had an impact on this. Maicer Iztruis and Peter Bourjos each singled. Bobby Wilson sacrificed everyone over a base and Mike Trout drove in Izturis with a sac fly. The White Sox tied it in the sixth on Kevin Youkilis‘ 13^th homer of the year. The Angels took the lead back in the seventh on Torii Hunter‘s RBI single, however he got thrown out at second trying to advance to end the inning. The Sox came right back off of Jason Isringhausen when A.J. Pierzynski belted his 21^st homer of the year, a two run shot to give them the lead. The Sox got an insurance run in the eighth when Alexei Ramirez tripled home a run.

The Angels head to Oakland to take on the wild card leading A’s. The Angels are now half a game beind the Detroit Tigers for the second wild card spot. Jarrod Parker and Jered Weaver will face off at 7:05PT/10:05ET