LA Angels get timely hitting and strong pitching in beating A’s.

The LA Angels lost their season opener in extra innings, but in the last two days they have gotten excellent starting pitching from Tyler Skaggs and Matt Shoemaker with timely hitting from Albert Pujols, Zack Cozart, and Mike Trout in winning the last two games over the A’s.

The key to this season many have said is starting pitching for the LA Angels.  Through three games the starters have been solid especially Tyler Skaggs on Friday night and consequently the Angels have won two of their first three games.

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Garrett Richards start kept the Angels in the game although he gave up four runs in the fifth inning after pitching four scoreless innings.  Richards left with the Angels leading 5-4, but unfortunately the bullpen couldn’t hold the lead and the Angels lost in 11 innings.

In the second game Tyler Skaggs tried to shake off a poor Spring that saw him give it up 11 runs in 11 innings of work.  Skaggs was outstanding pitching 6.1 innings allowing no runs and only three hits with five strikeouts and no walks.  Mike Trout hit a home run and the bullpen closed out the A’s over the last 2.2 innings to help the Angels get their first win of the season

So on Saturday Matt Shoemaker made his debut also coming off a poor spring.  For 5.2 innings Shoemaker was flawless giving up no runs and three hits.  However, Shoemaker ran into trouble walking in two batters and gave up a two-run single before he was taken out and the bullpen gave up one more run.  Shoemaker’s final line was 5.2 innings four hits, three runs, four walks and five strikeouts and he picked up the win.

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On the offensive side Zack Cozart was two for four with two RBIs, Mike Trout was three for five with two RBIs and Albert Pujols also went two for five with two RBIs as well.  The bullpen was flawless in the last three innings and the Angels picked up an 8-3 victory.

I know its way too early to get excited, bu it is nice to see the Angels starters with some strong starts and they are also hitting well with runners in scoring position.  This next week will be interesting when they play the Cleveland Indians who have one of the best line-ups in baseball.

Next: Ian Kinsler lands on the DL

Tomorrow will be very interesting as Shohei Ohtani will make his MLB Debut against the A’s and hopefully he will do well and shake off a very poor Spring.

Let’s see what happens.