Parker Bridwell has come out of nowhere to help LA Angels

When the LA Angels acquired Parker Bridwell from the Baltimore Orioles for cash on April 17th no one batted an eye. Bridwell had just been released by the Orioles after pitching in only two games for Baltimore in 2016.

The LA Angels gave Bridwell his first career big league start on May 30th against the Atlanta Braves.  Bridwell performed admirably pitching six solid innings giving up three runs with four strikeouts and picking up his first major league victory.

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Bridwell didn’t stay in the majors long being sent down the next day, but he had done enough to get another chance.  On June 14th Matt Shoemaker had to be lifted from the game against the Yankees in the third inning due to an injury. Bridwell was called upon to pitch and hold the vaunted Yankees attack down in hopes of allowing the Angels offense time to rally which they did.

While Bridwell ended up with a no-decision he pitched 3.2 effective innings giving up seven hits but only allowing an unearned run that tied the game at 3.  Bridwell came back on June 20th in Yankee Stadium to again face the Yankees.  Bridwell again pitched very well allowing only two hits and two runs in five innings while walking five batters.

Fast-forward to Sunday afternoon when Bridwell got a chance to start in another hallowed stadium at Fenway Park.  Bridwell again was up to the challenge pitching 6.2 innings giving up seven hits and again only two runs in helping the Angels take two out of three in Boston finishing their East Coast swing with a 4-2 record taking down two playoff contenders from the AL East.

The Angels thought so much of Bridwell that they allowed veteran Doug Fister to be released instead of giving him a chance to start against the Yankees.  In an ironic twist the Red Sox picked up Fister and pitched him against Bridwell and the Angels Sunday. Fister did not pitch badly, going six innings and allowing three runs in taking the loss. However, Bridwell definitely outpitched him.

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So with Shoemaker looking like he may need a few more weeks to heel is sore forearm Bridwell will have even more of a chance to show what he can do. Bridwell sits at 2-0 with a 2.95 ERA.  Even when Shoemaker returns you could see Bridwell remain with the Angels as a long-man/spot starter.

Next: Martin Maldonado proving himself to be worthy of All-Star consideration

This was another classic Billy Eppler move that the Angels GM has become known for. Eppler is always on the look out for other teams trash in hopes of turning it into the Angels treasure. Names like Blake Parker, Eric Young Jr., and David Hernandez who were all let go by their teams and the Angels got them for basically nothing. The Angels will now roll into Los Angeles tomorrow to face the Dodgers in hopes of continuing to roll against some of the league’s best.