Angels Avoid Sweep in Baltimore, Beat Orioles 9-5

Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

It didn’t look promising for the Los Angeles Angels going into today’s daytime businessman special in Baltimore. With a lineup card featuring Brad Hawpe, J.B. Shuck, number six starter Jerome Williams, and no Mark Trumbo, the Angels were somehow able to sneak out of Baltimore with a win. The 28th win of the season for the Angels helped them avoid a sweep by the Orioles. They are now 10 games under. 500.

The get-away game was a see-saw affair. After an early first inning run by the Orioles, the Angels answered back with moonshot by Hank Conger in the third and a RBI double in the 4th by Howie Kendrick in the 4th. Angels starter Jerome Williams then caught a case of homer-itis and gave up solo shots to Chris Davis in the 4th and Adam Jones in the 6th giving the Orioles the lead.

Orioles starter Jason Hammel cruised into the 7th where he loaded the bases with no outs. With a pond full of ducks, Buck Showalter brought in Pedro Strop who gave up a bases clearing triple to Erick Aybar who ended up scoring himself after an errant throw to third. Albert Pujols channeled his inner mid-2000’s and followed up with a moonshot a few batters later. The lead was protected in the late innings by the trio of  De La Rosa, Jepsen and Frieri (new album out soon!).

The Angels head back to Anaheim to reunite with Vernon Wells and the New York Yankees starting Friday at 7pm PST.