LA Angels struggle again at the mound, lose their 4th straight

The LA Angels Tim Lincecum proved to be human last night giving up a three-run homer to the Oakland A’s last night. The A’s would go on to win last night’s game 5-4, giving the LA Angels their 4th straight loss.

I’ve never been a fan of losing games for draft picks, giving up on a season with more than half the season still to be played, or looking forward to next season while this season is still being written. The LA Angels have every reason to start looking ahead to next season. But, now is not the time.

I think it’s cruel the way the LA Angels have fallen due to their injuries. The fact of the matter is they didn’t stand a great chance to compete for the AL West to begin with. However, injuries have hit this team with the strength of Captain America, giving them little hope that the post season is achievable. The losses are starting to pile-up for the LA Angels, which isn’t helping either

On Wednesday, against the Houston Astros, manager Mike Scioscia didn’t take starting pitcher Matt Shoemaker out following the seventh inning. Shoemaker was pitching masterfully prior to that point.

Shoemaker held the Astros at bay, allowing only one run through the first seven innings. However, following the seventh, Shoemaker gave up three hits including an RBI triple by Marwin Gonzalez that was just off of Shane Robinson‘s glove. The Astros would go on to win that game by a score of 3-2.

My first thought following this tough loss was “Looks like Sosh is scared to use the bullpen.” I mean, why else you would keep Shoemaker out there for eight innings?

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Last night, Tim Lincecum made his debut in the “Big A” and sadly, it was not just another Halo victory. I’m afraid before too long that phrase will change to “just another Halo loss.” Lincecum gave up 4 runs in the second inning on a three-run homer from Marcus Semien.

Khris Davis, who’s been day-to-day knocked his 17th homer of the season as well. The Angels would rally and not give up, which they usually don’t.

However, the rally would fall short leaving the LA Angels scratching their heads, and Mike Scioscia telling us again to “trust the process.” Which in case you aren’t aware, that is what the Philadelphia 76ers tell their fans. Following the game Sosh talked about Lincecum with the media via MLB.com

The Month of June has been rather unkind to the LA Angels, their record for the month of June is 7-14, including a five-game losing streak, and the current four-game losing streak that their on right now.

The LA Angels will finish out the month of June with three more games against the A’s and another three-game series versus the Astros, this time at home. The LA Angels are a half-game in front of the A’s for last place in the division.

The Rangers and Astros are red-hot as of late, winning eight of their last 10 games. The LA Angels have 16 games to make up in order to at least make ground in the AL West.

While things look bleek for the LA Angels, the season is far from over. There’s three months which equals just over 80-plus games left to be played. That’s more than enough time to make some ground and at least eye-ball that wild card spot.

Next: It's gotta be the shoes

The wild card seems more attainable than the division. Currently, the Boston Red Sox have the wild card lead with the Angels trailing by a mere eight games. So throwing in the towel and giving up on the season is not the way to go. There’s no need to push the panic button and start trading away everyone.