Angels Can’t Figure Out Ryu, Lose Game and Series

A mere two days ago, the Angels were one of the hottest teams in baseball. They strolled into Los Angeles riding an eight-game winning streak, and were getting set to face the cellar-dwelling Dodgers. 10-game winning streak, here we come, right? Then C.J. Wilson happened last night, blowing a five-run lead. Tonight, Hyun-Jin Ryu happened. Ryu looked every bit as baffling as Chris Sale did a couple of weeks ago when he one-hit the Angels. The only difference tonight, Ryu didn’t strike out everyone in the stadium.

The “too bad” part of the game, was that Joe Blanton the unfortunate, tough luck loser. His first season in Anaheim has not been one worth writing home about. But, there was a glimmer of hope after he finally got into the win column in his last start. Tonight, he pitched every bit as well as he did five days ago, Ryu just pitched better. Blanton had only two blemishes on what was otherwise a superb start. A sixth inning RBI single for A.J. Ellis that brought home Matt Kemp, and a fifth inning home run off the bat of Luis Cruz.

This would be the part where I talk about the Angels offense, except there was none. Two Angels hitters reached base tonight. Howie Kendrick got the first hit of the game with a single in the second inning and Chris Iannetta lined a double into the right field corner in the eighth inning. That was it, cue the sad music.

The Angels look to get back in the win column tomorrow night when they welcome back, staff ace, Jered Weaver. He will line up opposite Chris Capuano at the Big A at 7:05 PM PST. After a week and a half of stellar pitching, and offensive performances, watching the team go this cold, this quick, has been painful to watch. Light up the fail-o, the Angels got swept by the Dodgers, I’m going to go make a cleaning supplies cocktail.