Comeback Bid Comes up Short as Angels Fail to Sweep Yankees

The Angels offense took it’s sweet time in getting it together for today’s game. Baffled by C.C. Sabathia for eight innings, they feasted on the presence of David Robertson, and continued to hit the ball hard when the ageless Mariano Rivera entered the game. But Jered Weaver simply was not himself today, and that one run that Jerome Williams allowed turned out to be the difference during this Father’s Day affair.

The Angels Ace was off right out of the gate. Three Yankees reached base in the first inning (two by walk), and seemed poised to break out of their team-wide slump at that moment. But good old Vernon Wells did what he does best, choke. Weaver got Wells to ground into an inning ending double play, ending the inning, but only delaying the inevitable.

After a 1-2-3 second inning, the Yankees jumped all over Jered in the third. After Chris Stewart led the inning off with a walk, Brett Gardner singled him to third, and then stole second. But Weaver then struck out Ichiro Suzuki and got Robinson Cano to fly out. Almost out of it. But almost is only good in horseshoes and hand grenades, at least, that’s what I’m told. Travis Hafner launched a two-out, three-run home run center field, giving the Yankees a 3-0 lead. Wells followed that up with a single, and came around to score on Lyle Overbay‘s RBI double. And just like that, I’m writing about the 2010 Blue Jays.

After Jayson Nix singled home Overbay, the score was 5-0. And with Sabathia cruising, the task became daunting for the offense to get the Angels back into this one.

Vernon Wells added some insurance in the eighth with a sacrifice fly to Peter Bourjos, making the score 6-0, and making Angels fans in attendance sick to their stomach.

Sabathia came back out for the ninth inning, but was greeted by a Mike Trout double. He then walked Albert Pujols, and that was all she wrote. Joe Girardi brought in David Robertson to finish off the Halos, but the bats were awake, and they weren’t done.

Mark Trumbo followed up Pujols’ walk with a vicious line drive off of Robertson’s leg (if you can’t beat ’em, hurt ’em. Amirite?). After Howie Kendrick struck out, J.B. Shuck drew a walk, and that was all for Robertson who made way for Mariano Rivera.

But then Rivera couldn’t get anyone out. After an Erick Aybar RBI groundout, Alberto Callaspo slapped a two-run RBI single to right field making the score 6-4. Two batters later, Peter Bourjos got in on the action when he lined his own RBI single to left field. Rivera pitched cautiously to Trout, and eventually loaded the bases when he walked him. Setting the stage for Pujols to be a hero. Except Pujols then struck out on three pitches, and then walked back to the dugout looking lost. Well done, Albert.

The Angels still took two out of three from the Yankees, and winning series’ is a good start towards getting themselves back into contention. Or it’s just a good way to build us up before letting us down (Buttercup’d!).

The Mariners are in town for a four game set starting tomorrow evening when Jason Vargas takes the mound opposite Aaron Harang. Game time is at 7:05 PM PST. Light up the fail-o. At least, they didn’t lose the series. Silver lining people. Silver. Lining.