Halo Highlights: Angels Pitching Fails Again, Halos Lose 8-4

I can’t be the only person who feels like Bill Murray in Groundhog’s Day? It feels as though every game, the offense puts up runs early to get the team out in front, and then the pitching staff systematically goes and gives the game away. And unfortunately, today was simply more of the same.

May 5, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Jerome Williams (57) pitches in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

After the first inning of play, the Angels had a 3-1 lead thanks to RBI singles from Alberto Callaspo, Howie Kendrick and Hank Conger. That lead lasted until the fourth inning when Jerome Williams spun a hanging breaking ball that J.J. Hardy deposited over the left field wall for his second home run of the series. Both of which were as far away from Mike Trout as possible.

Speaking of Trout, the chosen one went 2-5 and absolutely smoked his fifth home run to dead center field in the fourth inning. Over his last six games, Trout is hitting .296/.367/.704. With Mark Trumbo heating up, and young Trout following suit, this lineup is getting more dangerous by the day.

That was all the scoring the Angels could muster on this day though. Jerome Williams gave up the lead when he couldn’t get out of the fourth inning. Michael Kohn (who is looking more valuable with each appearance) and Scott Downs kept the game close combining for 2.2 innings of scoreless relief. But all of that was undone when Dane de la Rosa entered the game and promptly gave up three runs in two-thirds of an inning. The Angels weren’t without their chances after that, but finished the game going 3-14 with RISP as a team. I could easily point to that statistic as why the Angels lost on this day, but when your pitching staff is hell bent on giving up leads, there’s a better chance than not that you’re going to come out a loser.

Mercifully, the Halos have an off day tomorrow before starting a three game series against the Houston Astros. I would be excited about this upcoming series, but, judging on how the pitching has been lately, I’m more scared than jubilant. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go beat my head off the wall.