Shoemaker throws shut out in loss

In what was probably his best start of the season, Matt Shoemaker’s outing was demolished by yet another struggle from the Angels bullpen in last nights loss to the San Diego Padres. The bullpen wasn’t the main reason though; the offense failed yet again to give Shoemaker any run support. In his outing, Shoemaker struck out six Padres, allowing only one walk and four hits throughout six scoreless innings.

The only problem Shoemaker ran into was the fourth inning when San Diego loaded the bases with one out, but David Freese saved the Angels with a glove snatch that probably saved at least three runs and beat out Matt Kemp with the tag at third base. It would take four relievers to get through ninth inning with Joe Smith being charged with four earned runs, which raised his ERA up to 3.80.

So, who’s to blame for this latest loss? It’s really two sided because with the combined bullpen performance and the lack of offense once again. The return to .500 hasn’t been new this season, as the struggles continue for the Angels. The offense faced Padre starter Odrisamer Despaigne , who had allowed 21 runs in his last 16 innings, yet the Angels only managed to get on one base runner, which came in the first inning.