Halo Highlights: This is Called, A “Winning Streak.” Angels win 3-2

Just keep winning. Just. Keep. Winning. That’s three in a row, folks, this is called a “winning streak.” And yes, it has happened before.

May 11, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Umpire

(45) calls Los Angeles Angels first baseman

(5) safe at home sliding past Chicago White Sox starting pitcher

(62) scoring a run on a passed ball during the third inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Over the previous couple of weeks, a game that remained this close, would have tied my stomach in seamen’s type knots. Over the last few days, I have grown more and more confident that, despite not having the full bullpen intact, this team was going to find a way to pull it off a win. In Houston, it was a late rally. Last night, it was a timely hit. Tonight, it was all about the pitching.

Contrary to popular belief concerning the offense of this team, the Angels haven’t been terrible at bringing in runs. They have also done quite well at scoring early, and tonight was no different. Alberto Callaspo did his job as the leadoff hitter, and got on base. Mike Trout followed him, and blasted a two-run home run to left center field to give the Angels a quick 2-0 lead. Back to back singles in the bottom half of the inning from Tyler Green and Alejandro De Aza knotted the game up at two apiece. And everyone was back to square one.

The third inning started off positively enough with a Mike Trout single. He was, however, promptly picked off by Jose Quintana. But then Albert Pujols singled. Two batters later, Josh Hamilton reached base on a throwing error that allowed Pujols to advance to third. Then Pujols went and surprised the entire ballpark when he broke for home on a passed ball, and scored by using the inside lane of the base path. It was a rare display of smart base running, and it turned out to be the difference. After that, Angels pitching allowed only four my White Sox to reach base, and only one of them made it as far as second base. And for the third game in a row, Mike Scioscia went to Ernesto Frieri in the ninth inning. And Frieri slammed the door shut, preserving the win and collecting his seventh save of the season.

The Angels go for the sweep tomorrow evening at 5:10 PM PST. And they’ll go for it with the newly engaged C.J. Wilson taking the ball for the Halos, and Chris Sale opposing him for the White Sox.